Grace

2 Peter 3:18

“Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.”

We are to grow in grace, we are to give grace to others if we are to receive it. The word ‘grace’ used here was the Greek word, ‘charis’ comes from the same root as ‘chara’ which means ‘joy’ and the ‘chairo’, ‘to rejoice’. Charis causes rejoicing. It is the word for God’s grace as extended to sinful man. It signifies unmerited favor, undeserved blessing, or a free gift.  Just as we benefit from GOD’s grace by giving us the gift of salvation, we are to bestow grace to others. We are to be Christ like here on earth, which means all the things Jesus did, we are to follow his example. We can extend grace to our family, friends, co-workers, acquaintences, and even strangers! So when someone says or does something to you, instead of giving them the deserved response; try responding with grace.

In reading 2 Corinthians 12, Paul, said he received wonderful revelations from GOD, “Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) The explanation my Bible gives to this is too great not to share: “His Grace is Sufficient- Godliness and Moral Purity; Grace, God’s unmerited favor, is that indeed a manifestation of His power exceeding what we could achieve or hope for by our own labors. And not only is it mightily in effect at our salvation, it is also a God-given resource that makes possible “holy living” when our life, circumstance, or character is under fire by the adversary.  God’s grace becomes His enablement or empowerment to achieve His plan, endure hardship, or access Him. His grace is powerful and all-enabling to the believer. His grace facilitates our abilities to conquer every weakness as we yield to an absolute trust or reliance upon God, trusting His heart even when we cannot trace His hand. Also the Greek ‘arkeo’ for ‘sufficient’ suggests the idea of ‘raising a barrier’ or ‘warding off’, God giving us the grace – the supernatural ability or miraculous faculty to sustain, endure, or maintain our call-for all He is enabling us to become in Christ.” (Jack W. Hayford, commentary, New Spirit Filled Life Bible )

Wasn’t that awesome, grace, is not only some gift we can bestow upon others, but it’s a way we can endure and sustain ourselves when we are under attack! GOD wants us to grow in grace, not just so we can be stronger Christians, but so we can lead others to Christ. HE wants us to share our experiences to encourage others. Some people don’t want to let anyone know that they have a weakness or struggles, but those very issues are what can bring people to Christ. Some people believe because we’re Christians, life is perfect and fair-weather. They need to know that yes we have struggles, BUT those issues don’t define us, we are strengthened through our trials, we still have joy regardless of our circumstances, because we have Jesus!