"Grace Is..." (Part 1)

To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (Philippians 4:20-23 NIV).

Just the other day a friend of mine posted a phrase to be completed on his FaceBook page: “Grace is…” Of course I had a relatively brief answer, but I began to think more deeply about the question. As I have been looking through Philippians again I am reminded that this is written by the Apostle Paul at a time in his life when there was little to be thankful about. He was in prison, awaiting certain execution for his preaching of the gospel. These words would be some of his very last and he speaks of one foundational truth. He speaks of God’s grace.

Isn’t it strange that such a well used topic could be so widely interpreted and often misunderstood today? I think modern religion has failed in many ways to communicate God’s grace. The freedom that is ours through grace has been sacrificed on the altar of intolerance and judgmental spirits. The bondage that has resulted has kept millions living in fear, shame, and intimidation. Perhaps the greatest tragedy is that many have become convinced that’s the way God intends us to live! These millions are victimized as if living on death row instead of enjoying the beauty and freshness of the abundant life Christ modeled and secured for them in His death and resurrection!

In the next few days I want to dig a little deeper and try to give you some thoughts about this great unfathomable gift god has bestowed on us. It’s not difficult as a concept. Yet, the grace of God is continually being challenged with denial and rejection. Grace has become a religious issue to be bantered about by theologians, preachers, scholars and students alike as they pull and tug at it like children fighting over a doll! It has become the classic no-win debate leaving the masses that watch and listen confused, polarized, and bored. God’s grace is intended to be enjoyed. Paul’s last farewell to the Philippians and for us today is that we come to the grace of God and be set free! After all, that’s when it truly becomes AMAZING GRACE!

In our reading today the apostle praises God; salutes the Philippians; and, blesses them. From these verses we see the true nature of God’s grace. It’s interesting to note that he never really spends a lot of time explaining “how” they receive it. He simply declares it as a gift from God. He shouts in praise the giving of grace and urges them to live in it. When we do, grace becomes what it was meant to be! It shouldn’t be a surprise that he closes his letter by saying, The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. So, we’ll begin there tomorrow! Today, may I encourage you to commit to be free in His grace? Will you devote your full attention to His gift of life? Regardless of what you may have heard, it IS paid for in full. Accept it today!