Last night our Bible study small group from church met in our home. Paula and I appreciate this opportunity because as you may know, I am home bound due to secondary-progressive Multiple Sclerosis. As a matter of fact, the 9 other participants met in our bedroom so I could participate.
We started a series that our church is calling “grace-ism”. Our first lesson began with glorifying our Father in Heaven for His gift of undeserved, unmerited, and unearned grace. For giving to us what we do not deserve. We basked in the glory and goodness of God. We rejoiced in His enduring kindness and in His unchanging love for us. For giving to us what we do not deserve. Grace in full measure. For His grace that reigns unto and throughout all eternity.
The primary goal and thrust of this series is to grow in our practical knowledge of the grace of God as it relates to relationships. Grace that will transform the way we live and Christ-centered grace that reaches out to others. A study to develop within each of us a heart attitude that is so Christ-centered it will display and exalt His amazing grace.
I thought on this great truth of grace and discussed it with my wife. Does the Bible teach us to be grace givers? If so, which verse? God may take you to another verse that answers this question better but this one came to my mind.
John 13:34-35 says, “A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.”
How did God love us? Did He set before us a divine-to-do list that required completion before He would pour His love upon us? You know the answer, right?
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Grace is all over this. God’s amazing grace is connected to and demonstrated by His amazing love. Apart from God’s full measure of grace and apart from His undeserved love, we all know full well what we would be—condemned, rejected, and judged. But instead we are forgiven, accepted, and justified!
How did Jesus love us? Think about this. Think about how Jesus knows all about us and yet loves us. That’s grace, beloved. Giving to us what we do not deserve and cannot earn. Now, Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us. Do you suppose when we love one another as He has loved us we will give grace to each other? He did!