Philippians 2:7-8 He (Jesus) made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!.
“Grace does not depend on what we have done for God but rather what God has done for us. Ask people what they must do to get to heaven and most reply, “Be good.” Jesus’ stories contradict that answer. All we must do is cry, “Help!””- Philip Yancey.
Jesus was the personification of “God’s Grace”. He was the flesh and bones of the God of Grace. He loved the unlovable, forgave the unforgivable and qualified the detestable. He went looking for the ostracized, condemned and outcast just to accept them back into the family of God. Every word, touch and look of Jesus seeped graciousness and goodness. Even at the cross, all that the condescending and callous Roman soldiers heard was grace and mercy. Jesus did not threaten them, curse or judge them. He forgave them. It was the confluence of the graciousness and compassion of Jesus on the cross that brought the ruthless Roman centurion to repentance. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54). Jesus not only lived but also died as an epitome of grace.
The grace and mercy of God are inseparable twins who operate together. God’s mercy met the bloodthirsty murderer Saul on the road to Damascus and His grace anointed him for ministry as a ‘missionary’! It was the mercy of God that set free the demon possessed Mary Magdalene from demonic oppression and the grace that visited her after resurrection to appoint her as an ambassador for Christ. It was the mercy of God that forgave us of our known and notorious sins and the mercy that has anointed us as His priests and preachers.
God of Grace:
1. Exchanges: Grace exchanges our filthy rags of sinfulness with royal garments of holiness. To give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified (Isaiah 61:3). Grace exchanges failures with victories.
2. Entitles: Grace entitles the undeserving culpable as God’s children. He gave this to those who put their trust in His name. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12). Grace entitles misery with ministry.
3. Enthrones: Grace enthrones the most unworthy sinner to a position of authority. And hath raised us up together, and hath made us sit together in the heavenly places, through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). Grace endows us with honour instead of humiliation.
Grace floods us with blessings that we don’t deserve while mercy reverses the condemnation and curse that we deserve. Grace is the quintessence of Jesus.
Romans 5:8 God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, I am flabbergasted by your unassuming grace and undemanding mercy. Your grace is more than enough for me. Amen
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