Grace
“We’re giving a prize to the person with the most disgusting thing in their purse.” Having failed to win any of the other icebreaker contests at the women’s retreat, I knew I might have this one. I dug down deep through old receipts, runaway lipsticks and loose change, and found a petrified raisin that must have been in the bottom of my bag for at least a year. I raised it up in the air with a huge grin on my face.
“What about this?” I shouted.
It was unique all right, and a winner amongst the old gum and candy bar wrappers some of the others were holding up.
Isn’t this a lot like God’s grace?
Our sin might have been hidden away for years or perhaps we’ve forgotten it, but one day our eyes are opened, God calls it out and asks us to repent. When we do, he forgives us, no questions asked.
Ephesians 2:4 says, “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”
I’m so thankful for God’s grace, aren’t you? Where would I be without it?
Every once in a while the enemy of our faith will remind me of some of those old petrified raisins from my past, even though I’ve asked for forgiveness and told God I’m sorry. Maybe that’s happened to you.
Beware!
When he does this, it’s an attempt to cause us to feel unworthy, unqualified, and undesirable so we will be mired in insecurity and not able to accomplish what God has called us to do.
Remember, grace comes equipped with a chainsaw to cut through what binds us to old sin.
Grace has no memory of the past.
Even though we’re guilty, grace stamps “not guilty” on our ticket.
Because we’ve been given the gift of grace, it’s important we pay it forward.
Who in your world needs grace today?
Great reminder Lisa, that not only do we freely receive grace, but that we need to remember to freely give grace!
Perfect analogy. Perfect reminder of His amazing grace.