God’s Grace > My Sin

Scriptures: Ephesians 2:4-9, Psalms 103:8-13, John 1:16

Grace is more than a Girl’s Name

You know, grace is more than just a girl’s name. Guys and girls alike need grace. But what exactly is it? The following true story gives a small glimpse of what grace is about. 

It was football season, and the 8th grade locker room had been trashed at Cross Timbers Middle School!  Who did it?—the boys on the football team!!  Dirty clothes, trash and food wrappers were everywhere.  The coaches determined it was a good time to teach the team a lesson they would never forget!  So, the coaches had all 50 players sit in a line on the floor of the gym.  “Oh, great,” the boys thought, “I’ll bet they’ll make us run ‘til we’re sick!”

And then something unexpected happened.  While watching, the stunned players saw their coaches begin to run the length of the court.  The coaches had instructed the boys that for each lap they completed, one player must stand—one boy at a time—until the coaches had run a lap for each of the 50 team members!  Over and over the coaches ran up and down the gym floor.  Up and back they ran, exhausted, until 50 laps were completed and all the players were now standing!

Gasping for air, about to collapse and looking at their bewildered team, the coaches stopped. Coach Lentz, the head football coach, barely able to breathe, spoke for them all, “You trashed the locker room, but we took the punishment you all deserved, and that, boys, is what we call, ‘grace’!”

Grace is more than just a girl’s name! And to say it again, guys and girls all need grace.  Grace is the ultimate act of kindness.  Grace is when someone is compassionate and does something good and kind for you when you don’t deserve it. For example, in His love and compassion, Jesus took the punishment for your sins when He died on the cross so you could have forgiveness and eternal life with Him.   God’s Grace > My Sin! 

Think about it:

1. Should the coaches have taken the players’ punishment by running the laps for them?
2. Do you think the boys on the team are more likely, or less likely to trash the locker room again? 
3. Who needs to receive grace from you today? Who is that person that has recently hurt your feelings or harmed you in anyway? 

Today is a great day to extend grace  because God’s Grace > My Sin!

Scriptures: Ephesians 2:4-9, Isaiah 30:18

Grace Changes Everything

Grace is God’s gift of love and acceptance without having to earn it. Can you imagine what it would be like if you didn’t feel the need to work so hard just to find a place to belong? Grace changes everything!

Many of us are people pleasers and feel we must earn love and acceptance from others.  We live in such a performance-based world and find ourselves on a fast track, chasing other’s approval in order to fit in.

For example, do you feel that if you made better grades, you’re parents would be more proud of you?

Do you feel you always need to compliment your friends or go along with the crowd in order to feel accepted?

Do you feel if you were the top athlete, the coach might value you more?

Falling into the “people pleaser” trap leads to feeling discouraged, unloved and even hopeless. But, grace changes everything!

In the Bible, in the book of Ephesians, chapter 2, verses 4 through 9 it says, 

“God loves us deeply. He is full of mercy. So he gave you new life because of what Jesus Christ has done. He gave us life even when we were dead in sin. God’s gracehas saved you. God raised us up with Christ. He has seated us with Him in His heavenly kingdom. That’s because we belong to Christ Jesus. He has done it to show the riches of His grace for all time to come. He has shown it by being kind to us. He was kind to us because of what Christ Jesus has done.  God’s grace has saved you because of your faith in Christ. Your salvation doesn’t come from anything you do. It is God’s gift. It is not based on anything you have done. No one can brag about earning it.

These verses remind you that because of God’s great grace, which includes His love towards you and His acceptance of you, you are saved.

Grace can be described as God’s unearned blessing and favor towards you. God’s grace towards sinners, which includes you, is what allows Him to forgive you over and over again!

Every morning you wake up is a new day, no matter what you have done or feel guilt over. And once you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, you are guaranteed His grace, and love for eternity. Grace explains why God’s forgiveness and kindness is never ending.  Grace is the greatest gift you can ever receive. Experiencing unconditional kindness, forgiveness and compassion from the Lord and from others, is a beautiful picture of “grace” …and that changes everything!

Think about it:

1. Who has shown you grace when you have messed up?
2. Make time to thank that person today!

Scriptures: Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13, Matthew 6:14-15

Grace is a Choice.

What is grace? In part, it involves choosing acts of  kindness and forgiveness.

Kindness focuses on the needs of others first and  is tender, selfless, compassionate and polite. Kindness is never, harsh, envious, rude or self-centered. 

Forgiveness  is not holding bad feelings and seeking revenge when someone has harmed, or wronged you.

The God-given ability to extend kindness and forgiveness toward others when they don’t deserve it is rarely seen in today’s culture. However, those traits will become more natural and evident in your life as your understanding of God’s grace grows.

Ephesians 4:32 calls us to, “Be kind  to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you..” 

And in Colossians 3:13, God’s word clearly speaks on the importance of forgiveness, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” 

Once you have forgiven someone you can no longer be angry with that person. Christ tells you to forgive in the way in which He has forgiven you. He asks you to truly forgive others with all of your heart. When you don’t want to forgive someone who has wronged you, remember Christ’s sacrifice for you. He literally gave up his life when He died on the cross. 

Jesus loved you so much, he chose not only to forgive you, but He also showed you great kindness. When He took the punishment of death for the wrong you have ever done or will ever do in the future, Jesus chose kindness.   

One night a mother went upstairs to say prayers with her two young sons before they went to bed.  She noticed that one of them had colored a picture on the bedroom wall.  Both boys were old enough to know better.  She asked, “Boys, who drew on the wall?”  Chad, the younger brother, said, “Mommy, I did.”  Knowing that Chad  would surely be punished for the wrongdoing, Clint (the older brother) said, “Mom, I know Chad did it,  but He is so little, would you spank me instead?”  Even Clint knew that all bad behavior required discipline.  He loved his little brother so much that He wanted to take Chad’s punishment.  Jesus did for you what Clint did for Chad. Jesus chose to take the punishment you deserved.

Grace involves both kindness and forgiveness. Matthew 6:14-15 states, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others of their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

The Lord sees when you choose to truly forgive others, and He will bless you. When you choose to genuinely extend kindness and forgiveness, you can walk in  peace knowing that your life is in God’s hands. He is in control of the outcome, no matter what other people have done to you. You serve a God of grace. He is your Father who showers you with loving kindness and forgiveness, and He calls you to live by His example.

Choose to forgive! Choose to be kind! Take a moment to listen to the song ‘Forgiveness’ by Matthew West. It’s a great reminder of how God shows us to love as He loves. 

Think about it:

Think about it:

1. Who do you choose to forgive today?
2. What acts of kindness will you take to forgive that person? 
3. Remember, the Holy Spirit empowers Christians to give kindness and forgiveness to others. Granting grace to people in your life is your choice. Aren’t you thankful that God chose to give you grace? God’s Grace > My Sin!  

Scriptures: Proverbs 15:1, Luke 6:31, John 13:34, Titus 3:3-7

Grace is Contagious

Jesus Christ is the perfect example of God’s grace. Grace is when God gives people mercy when they deserve punishment for their sinful choices. God saw, and still sees, a world full of hopelessness, sin and pain and He sent His beloved son to save us. In the Bible, we see that Jesus demonstrated undeserved kindness, love and forgiveness toward all those who followed Him. He wants to do that for you too! Aren’t you thankful that God doesn’t treat you like you deserve to be treated? Who wouldn’t want to experience that? Grace is contagious!

The New Testament explains it well in the book of Titus, chapter 3, verses 3-7: “Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.  

But, when God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 

He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace He made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”

Aren’t those encouraging words of truth?

Our salvation is not because we’ve done any good works, but rather it’s because of God’s grace, which includes undeserved love, kindness and forgiveness.

The Bible is filled with verses that stress the importance of grace. And it teaches us to treat others the way we want to be treated. 

Luke 6:31 says, “Do to others as you would like them to do to you.”

Proverbs 15:1 states that, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” 

When you choose kindness, you help create an environment of peace. 

In John 13:34, Jesus says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” 

Loving others is not always easy but it’s the example that God has given us.

Let’s work to change the way we see the people we find hard to love. Let’s start being kind to those who haven’t done anything to deserve our kindness. It’s what Jesus would do and it’s called “grace.”

Try this. The next time you pull up to pay for your food at a fast food restaurant, tell the employee at the window you also want to pay for the person behind you in the car line. The driver hasn’t earned your kindness, but you just might start a kindness movement as you watch one driver after another pay for the person behind them. Kindness is contagious!

Or, how about this idea…after someone in your family has treated you badly, forgive them and make their bed the following morning.  And even though they don’t deserve it, take out the trash or wash the dishes even though it’s their turn. But do it more than once. Do it often! Forgiveness is contagious!

Choose grace. Demonstrate it through kindness and forgiveness. Grace is contagious and just might change the world! And if you can’t change the whole world, you will change yours! 

Think about it:

1. Romans 12:17 says, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.” Think of a time where you repaid evil with evil. How did it make you feel?
2. When you choose kindness and forgiveness towards those who cause you harm, how does it benefit them? How does it also benefit you?  God’s Grace > My Sin!