Give Yourself Some Grace

As usual, we start off any new year full of optimism and positivity, saying we will achieve all of these different goals that we set out for ourselves, leaving little room for grace. We strive to be perfectionists, always wanting to improve and exceed the lofty goals we have for our lives. The problem is none of us are perfect, nor will ever be.

I used to mentally tell myself that I could be perfect until someone finally got through to me by laughingly telling me “good luck because only Jesus is perfect!” Wait, are you telling me that I can’t measure up to the God who created the world in 7 days and 7 nights?! Whether I like to hear that or not, that is the truth!

What is Grace in the Bible

In the New Testament, grace means God’s love in action towards men and women who merited the opposite of love.  God didn’t give us what we deserve. God pours out his grace upon sinners like us who deserve the worst.  Grace was God moving heaven and earth to saves sinners who could not lift a finger to save themselves. Only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross can we truly see what grace is in the Bible.

Our salvation is not of ourselves. We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). God sent His One and Only Son to die on the cross on our behalf so that we guilty ones might be reconciled to God and receive eternity with Him. While it was free for us, it was the utmost expense for God. He took upon himself what we deserved so that we might be saved.  Because of that, you are free. You cannot run away from His unending grace. His grace cannot be stopped. 

Examples of Grace in the Bible

The concept of grace is interwoven throughout the entirety of Scripture. God’s grace is the foundation in which the Gospel is built upon. Every good thing in this life is because of God’s grace. Here are some examples of grace in the Bible:

John 1:17: for the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 1:9: He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.

Ephesians 2:8-9: For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—  not from works so that no one can boast.

Romans 3:22-24: that is, God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction.  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Understanding the Grace of God

The thing about Jesus is that He continually offers grace. It was by His gift of grace that you are saved, not by your own works or accomplishments. Because if we could do the work perfectly all of the time, would we even need to rely on Him?

“Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-17.

We push and push ourselves until there is nothing left except to rest in the fullness of His grace. He gives us the space to take a break, to regroup, to not have it all together. God is our strength when we can’t find it. He tells us it is okay if we do not have everything together or we mess up. In his abundant grace, He uses our weak attempts for good, even when all we want to do is give up. 

Approach the Throne of Grace

Sin created a barrier between us and God. But by the grace of God, He sent Jesus to bear our brokenness on the cross so that we could be reconciled to Him. In order to understand God’s grace, we need to humbly go before His throne of grace with prayer. At the throne, we receive His mercy and grace to help in time of need.

“Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.” Hebrews 4:16.

Jesus is our mediator and lets us approach the throne of grace with full confidence. It is through Him alone that we can approach the throne of God. When we do, we will see that our transgressions have been forgiven because His grace covers all of our sins. It is by grace that He counts us as His beloved children.

Jesus does not roll His eyes at our struggle with sin and perfectionism. He sympathizes with us because He knows how we are feeling. He experienced it all but kept himself from sinning. So approach Him and accept the gift of gracious help that He is so willing to give. He is for us and will bring us into the place of rest and peace.

Weekly Challenge

I challenge you to get more of God in your mind and heart.

1. 1. Approach His throne of grace through prayer knowing that He is loving and compassionate. Thank God that you are able to boldly go before Him. Ask Him to continue to mold and shape your heart so that you will desire to get more of Him.
   2. Dive deep into His Word to learn more about who God is and who He says you are. God not only means to give us His grace but wants us to find it in His Word.
   3. Forgive yourself for failing because God has already forgiven you. Give yourself some grace.