GRACE, WE JUST DON'T GET IT

BY STEVE DUNN

I love these guys--the SKIT GUYS.  Let's begin with a little fun with a profoundly important truth from the Bible.

Grace is a difficult concept in our performance-driven, pull yourself up by your own bootstraps, only winning matters world. It requires three things the Bible teaches us that modern day people really don't feel comfortable with.

 HUMILITY MERCY FORGIVENESS 

That's not all there is to the biblical idea of grace, but it is a starter. A look at few verses illuminates what produces grace and is the result.

Grace calls us to lift up others, not pursue being the King of the Mountain.  "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." - Philippians 2.3

 Grace reminds us that we are interdependent and that all people matter to God and therefore all people should matter to God's people: "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." - 1 Peter 3.8

Grace reminds us that we are blessed and made new by a gift of God rooted in His merciful nature doing what mercy does: "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." - Ephesians 2.4-5

Grace causes us to focus on God so that our lives will reflect Him and please Him: "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy." - Micah 7.18

Grace reminds of God's agenda, which is not judgement but redemption: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." - John 3.16-17

Are these values part of your spiritual DNA?