Expressions of Grace

Expressions of Grace
In the Light of His Grace


What a great perspective to begin seeing and understanding all of life and its circumstances, events, and happenings in the light of Your [God] infinite and wonderful grace. It is such a refreshing perspective.

Roman's chapter six is what I think of when I hear the word “grace.” I think of what You did when you forgave my sins and adopted me as your son. I think of what you did when you redeemed me and reconciled me to yourself. I think of what you did when you lavished your love upon me. I think of what you did when you lavished so many great and wonderful things on me. I think of the best aspects of my life; my wife, my children, my home, my abundant possessions, my family, my friends (these are in no particular order :)) and I see Your grace.

However, I have begun to see it beyond those things. I have begun to see that there is much more to it than that. I have never viewed grace before in the way that I am beginning to view it now. Hardships are an overflow for Your grace. I mean, I know that you used hardships in our lives. I knew that they could be used to bring about growth and maturity in our lives through allowing them to come upon us. Romans 8:28 and James 1 are clear on this point. But I never viewed them as deliberate and intentional orchestrated events in my life. I have never viewed them as an overflow of grace into my life. WOW! What a concept! What a perspective! If I were to truly understand and adopt this perspective in my life, it would revolutionize my attitude and approach to life and to hardships that I encounter.

It is truly an expression of God's grace that...

...we are permitted to experience difficult circumstances.; for if we never experienced difficult circumstances, we would never learn to view God as a Sovereign God in control of all circumstances and we would fail to learn the many lessons of life and aspects of God that can only be learned through difficult circumstances.
...we are allowed to feel the weight of and guilt of our sin; for if we never felt the weight and guilt of our sin, we would never feel the weight of God's glory or the magnitude of His righteousness.
...we are permitted to experience grief; for if we never grieved, we would never know the depth of His comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
...we are permitted to experience hardship; for if we never experienced hardship, we would never know the strength of God, nor would we ever learn to trust and lean on Him. 2 Corinthians 1:8-11
...we are permitted to experience hardship; for if we never experienced hardship, we would never know the incredible faithfulness of God. Amos 9:8
...we are permitted to experience discipline from God; for if we never experienced discipline, we would never know the incredible love and faithfulness of God. Amos – Entire book
...we are not capable of being self-sufficient.
...we are permitted to experience loneliness; for if we never experienced loneliness, we would never know the comfort, security, and sufficiency of God's eternal presence. Hebrews 13:5
...we are permitted to experience need; for if we never experienced need, we would never know the riches of His provision and His great love to lavish gifts upon His children. Philippians 4:19
...we are permitted to experience the pain of betrayal; for if we never experienced the pain of betrayal, we would never know the faithfulness of God.
...we are permitted to experience discontent; if we never experienced discontent, we would never long to be home in our eternal kingdom. I Corinthians 5:1-5
...we are permitted to experience shame; for if we never experienced shame, we would never know the extreme depths of God's love and forgiveness.
...we are permitted to experience the pain of disappointment, for if we never experienced the pain of disappointment, we would never know the healing power of the Shepherds touch!
...we are permitted to experience homesickness; for if we never experienced homesickness, we would never long for the greater home that God has prepared for us.
...we are prevented from having all the answers; for by not knowing all of the answers, we are prevented from wandering too far from God.
...we are permitted to experience pain; for if we never experienced pain, we would never know the healing power of the great physician.
...we are permitted to experience confusion; for if we never experienced confusion, we would never know the infinite wisdom of God. James 1
...we are permitted to experience difficult circumstances; for if we never experienced difficult circumstances, we would never learn to persevere, nor would we experience the powerful protection of God. James 1:7; John 17
...we are permitted to serve God; for the ability to serve God is nothing less than an expression of His grace in our lives. Ephesians 3:7-8
...we are permitted to suffer for His names sake; for when we suffer for His names sake, we are considered by God as capable of enduring it and we bring Him the glory. Acts 5:41