Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

Connecting Point: Go With Grace

Most people aspire toward greatness. Even the most passionless person aspires in some area or hobby to do it well. Boys and girls, men and women dream of achieving accolades in sports, acting, a career, etc. “The sky is the limit” goes the saying, yesterday but today, too.

My goal is to grow in Christ-like qualities. What about you? Virtues of Christ are admired universally by others. We surely relish when another person extends us mercy, maybe, especially if we don’t deserve it. Of course, patience is welcome when we are on the receiving end. In addition, we all appreciate it when someone randomly demonstrates a selfless act of love.

One attribute that we all can learn to grow into includes grace. As with many Christ-like characteristics it is developed over our entire lifetime, a process that should never end. If a Christian really desires to grow, he will pursue virtue.

Jesus gave his disciples a challenge which includes those of us today as we take on the name of Christ, i.e. Christian. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I’ve commanded you,” (Matthew 28:18-20). Discipleship is not a dainty task or mild suggestion; it is a calling that changes lives. I believe that grace should be exemplified in our lives and actions.

First, it’s important to note that grace was and is given to us by God. Romans 3:24 states that a person can be “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Throughout the New Testament “grace” appears over 150 times. In Greek, the word is “charis.” The Strong’s Concordance defines it as “graciousness, benefit, favor, gift, goodwill, thanks, or grace.”

Second, if we are to fulfill the mission given to us by Jesus we must do that with grace as a foundation seen in our disciple-making. The Holy Spirit draws people to repentance in Christ; in essence, we are “ground support” partnering in this endeavor. “Go” and “make” are action words; therefore, it is imperative we do so in a manner that is graceful. One cannot be cornered or coerced to be a disciple. Likewise, the decision to operate in grace beyond repentance is an individual choice. “The church is, above all, a place to receive grace: it brings forgiven people together with the aim of equipping us to dispense grace to others.”— Philip Yancey.

Dear reader, as you go about your day would you practice extending God’s grace to others? I too accept this challenge because it’s a building block of what it actually means to be a disciple of Jesus.

 

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