Grace
Week of April 5, 2009 

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect.  No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”  ~1 Corinthians 15:10

So often, when we hear about or think of grace, feminine beauty comes to mind.  Recently, I watched a video of a sister-in-Christ who won a Miss Georgia beauty pageant.  Throughout her talent performance, her evening gown and swimsuit walk, her response to a surprise question and even her crowning, she exuded grace every moment, with every gesture and every chosen word.  Through all of her preparation and performance, I have no doubt, the gift of God’s grace operating through her is what the judges saw.  Through divine grace, she became the chosen one; she had the Lord’s favor; she received the crown.

True grace is powerful, and it is deliberate (2 Cor. 12:9).  It is most definitely a gift from God that, in turn, glorifies Him.  And it’s not just for women.  Christ is full of grace.  Our Heavenly Father was the first to have it, and He is the very essence of it.  Through the Holy Spirit, grace actively lives in us, and we honor God and others by choosing to exercise it in many ways.

Strong’s Concordance defines grace in the Hebrew language as the moral quality of kindness; displaying a favorable disposition; to be in a state of favor.  Encarta Dictionary defines grace as generosity of spirit; politeness, decent behavior; capacity to tolerate, accommodate or forgive people; gift of God to humankind; the infinite love, mercy, favor and goodwill shown to humankind by God; freedom from sin through repentance; to make a pleasing contribution; beauty and smoothness of form and movement.

Wisdom and discernment are hallmarks of God’s grace.  Exercising all the qualities of grace with a pure heart brings life to us and to others (Prov. 3:21-22, 45:2).  Through a pure heart and gracious speech, we will even keep company with kings (Prov. 22:11).  Now, how influential is that? 

Make no mistake, it is only through God’s grace that we become experts at anything (I Cor 3:10, Rom. 15:15).  As I move forward in my new job assignment, I see God's grace show up every moment of every day.  I am most definately on a grace journey where the learning curve is great.  But my God, who sees all things and knows all things, has been quick to show me solutions as I need them.

In fact, God loves us so much that He even demonstrates grace to the unrighteous through blessings and general prosperity (Is. 26:10, Matt. 5:45).  Is there no limit to God’s grace?

And although the pressures feel great sometimes, God reminds me that He is able to make all grace abound to me, so that in all things at all times, having all that I need, I will abound in every good work (2 Cor. 9:8). 

Choosing to work by God’s grace, not by worldly wisdom, is Godly wisdom.  Making this Godly choice honors God and elevates us to operate in higher ways for His purposes (2 Cor. 1:12).  As I draw near to Him and rest in His grace, I sense His peace, and I am reminded that His yoke is light (Matt. 11:30).

             If your workplace burdens feel heavy, ask the Lord to purify your heart and enable you to receive His full measure of divine grace.  Then declare 2 Corinthians 9:8, and watch Him work on your behalf to usher in His success in you and through you to affect others around you, all for the Kingdom.