By His Grace

Hallelujah by Heather Williams

Did you know that Grace is mentioned in the Bible 170 times? 170 TIMES.

God told Paul, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

We need the grace of God. You might be saying well, yes, of course we do. We need it first of all for salvation. Without the grace of God, we cannot have eternal life. However, we also need the grace of God for our daily walk with God. We are weak and prone to stray. We might not see it, especially when we are weak but God provides daily strength through His grace working in us.

Recently, I've been hurt. Broken down and at a place where I stood and questioned everything. Myself, my faith, my friends, and others that claim to walk with the Lord. I'm learning that I am being challenged in this struggle.

The Bible says in Luke 6:27-36: 27 But I say unto you which hear, Love our enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. 30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Easier said that done right? I mean, when someone hurts us, we know that the Bible says to turn the other cheek, when others wrong you, in a way they have been wronged themselves by others, and they destroy your world in the process, it's hard to just say "oh okay, keep it coming." BUT, this is a way of life that will give you dignity, even when people above you beat you down. The arrogant ones above you will see radical, generous grace arise from the bottom. And when they see your love, they will be faced with a crisis. To return your love. Or, to continue to take advantage of you.

Remember, these few things, the next time you decide to treat others unlike you want them to treat you.

Your comfort comes at the cost of another person’s discomfort.
Your wealth comes from the hard work of those below you.
Your cheap goods come from those who have been paid unjust wages.