Write on the topic of GRACE in any genre you like. (500 words maximum)
Grace Greater Than Riches
By Deborah McDermott
In my 47 years of being a Christian, I have listened to many teachings on the subject of grace and have come to conclude that it is one of the most misunderstood words in Scripture. A particularly misleading interpretation of grace is the acronym, God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. While this is an appealing concept, grace has more to do with God’s unmerited favour and empowerment than it does with riches. The true meaning of grace becomes clear when we compare Scripture with Scripture.
Ephesians 1:7 says, “In Him [Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Note that grace is not defined as God’s riches. Rather, it refers to the riches of God’s favour towards us in allowing Jesus to be sacrificed so we could be saved.
Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” In this verse, grace means both God’s favour AND empowerment to enable us to handle whatever situation we are facing graciously and without fear. God Himself says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
God’s grace is not something I can adequately describe or measure. All I know is that the measure of God’s grace and favour I do have is dependent upon the depth of my relationship with Him. This includes how much I love, trust and obey Him. How much I rely on Him. How much I thank and glorify Him. How much I believe He is always with me, even when things seem to be falling apart.
My greatest testimony of God’s grace pertains to the few days before my husband went to Heaven. There was a time when I feared widowhood, but as I trusted the Lord with Sean’s life, I was filled with such a deep peace and calmness that I knew it could only have come from God Himself. When Sean passed away, joy like no other joy exploded in my heart because I knew he was safe in the arms of Jesus where there is no more pain or suffering. This joy remained with me long after his funeral at which I comforted many others who were grieving my “loss”. When they asked how I could be so joyful, I could only say: “God’s amazing grace!”
Grace is not merely a thing. Bible Hub’s Lexical Summary describes it as “the divine influence upon the heart”. In my experience, grace is more than just an influence. It is a divine impartation that not only enables us to respond like Jesus would, but also transforms us bit by bit into His amazing likeness. It empowers us to say yes to what is truly good and no to evil. It is living as the new creation we have become through Him so we can glorify His Name.
He Knew It
By Ray Burton
Leviathan slithered in through the gap under the door and with a single jump landed square in the middle of the table. The elders and leaders were unaware of its presence and eager to start the meeting.
Colin quickly squared away all the usual formalities and announced, “Our first topic today is the Julia Wentworth situation.”
Quick as a flash, Levi Leviathan leap onto the shoulder of Pauline Wright and wrapped its cold body around her neck and squeezed tightly while whispering, “Disgusting and Shameful.”
Pauline echoed Levi’s words, “Well I think she’s disgusting and sha shameful” she said choking on her words.
Faster than a moving eye, Levi darted to the shoulder of Pastor Ted Rogers. “Hypocritic,” said Levi. “Now Pauline let us be merciful and positive. We all have ghosts in the closet you know.”
Levi leapt quickly across the table and landed on Selwyn’s head. “I have a bit of a headache, but I want to bring the focus to Pastor Nigel. He is the one to blame for this whole situation. As Youth Pastor he has a responsibility to keep our young people behaving in a way that is fitting and appropriate for St Alburn’s church.”
Levi darted over to Ps Nigel and stared in his eyes. “He is right. You failed,” said Levi.
Pastor Nigel felt the weight of the accuser on his fragile temperament and cried.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry I should have done better,” said Nigel.
Levi coiled back frustrated at Nigel’s words then leapt back onto Pauline’s shoulder. “He should of, tell him.”
“Now,” said Pauline, “I’m sure we could all of done things differently had we realized the situation.” Again, Levi coiled back in disappointment.
Levi decided to heat things up and leapt on Selwyn’s head again. “All excuses. Set an example of her” whispered Levi.
“The church must learn from this. We should set an example of her,” said Selwyn being a responsible elder.
Levi glanced around the table looking to reinforce his work of shame, guilt and division. He looked in Sarah’s eyes to see what she was feeling.
“I see shame and guilt. What have you done?” asked Levi.
To Levi’s surprise Sarah stood to her feet.
“Do not make an example of her unless, unless you want to crucify our Lord again. He knows the pain of her trauma that brought her to her place of desperation and sin. He knew it when He was whipped. He knew it when He hung on the cross for her. He knew it when He gave her His amazing grace.
“He knew it when you all allowed Leviathan to control your thoughts and words. He knew it when He called her to repent. He knew it when He called you to repent.”
The room was silent as they pondered Sarah’s words, and the gift of repentance embraced them.
Levi slithered out the way he had come, knowing he could not compete with the grace of God.
Grace
By Bruce Tregonning
“Grace, my young lady, can I tell you the meaning of your name?” She nods her head.
Grace is the most beautiful word gifted to us by God our father. In my own words I could lead you into a story that’s like this analogy: picture a yacht with sails. It’s helpless without wind which is its driving force. And when it blows, it empowers its movement and gives direction much like grace that gives momentum to our faith.
On a T shirt worn by a teenager, a young Christian, had a message which inspired me. It was: “Grace is every season”.
You know being moved by God, Grace and Gratitude: the three Gs, there are no buts, ifs and conditions in order to do right!
“Our faith can only live by being sustained with the oil of grace,” and according to Charles Spurgeon, we can only obtain this from God Himself.
When Peter was battered by trial, his faith flicked off, but because of Christ’s grace, it didn’t fail. Let us then go to our Lord for the grace and strength we need.
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with His grace that he has lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding” Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 1: 7-8.
Let us show to the world that we are a happy and blessed people as of His grace and mercy so that others will be induced to say: “we will go with you for we have heard that God is with you.” Wouldn’t that be a wonderful testimony to those searching for truth?
In a truly meaningful way: Grace is God’s enabling power, is unmerited, unearned, undeserved favour so grace is all you’ll ever need for every situation you’ll ever face. Amazing Grace! As St Paul quotes in 2 Corinthians 12: 9, “My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul concludes in 2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all things and all places, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
We are beneficiaries of His love and blessings and recipients of His redeeming grace. Also, God’s salvation is an unmerited gift of grace.
The Lord is a God of second chances as was shown in David’s life after the affair with Bathsheba. David sought God and was credited with a second chance.
It’s a miracle of grace indeed that Jesus should forsake Heaven above to suffer shamefully for us on earth. “By the grace of God, I am what I am” in 1st Corinthians 15: 10—particularly appropriate to my near fatal accident on a date imprinted on my mind- 7th July, as a guy, an off-duty cop, failed to give way on a round-about in west Hastings! A great measure of grace bestowed on me on that day of history. Praise God!
The Thing About Grace
By Linda Otter
It had been a long wait but today was the day. As I wiped the kitchen benchtops yet again, trying to fill in time and exercise patience, I reflected on God’s faithfulness. Ben and I had been trying to start a family for years now, desperately hanging on to God and trying to believe for his best even if a family was not going to be part of his plan for us. At one stage, I became very bitter and walked away from God, thinking that he must really hate me, to ignore my prayers in this way. I was argumentative with Ben and hard to live with. But Ben continued to be patient and loving, showing grace that could have only come from God.
Then God gently restored me and with his infinite grace led me on a sacred journey of learning to trust, find joy again and experience his peace no matter what. Repeatedly, he exercised his gift of grace towards me in my struggles; forgave me, picked me up, and loved me. Grace that was only available because of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. Grace upon grace; undeserved favour; an endless flow of love and kindness. And over these long, hard years his grace was sufficient.
The doorbell rang, interrupting my thoughts. Quickly and nervously, I ran my hands down my jeans and tidied my hair. I could hear Ben answer the door as I hastily stepped into the hallway. He turned with a huge smile and my heart caught with love for him. He held out his hand to me and we faced the door to greet our foster daughter who would eventually be our own. I scarcely noticed the woman standing there, my eyes fixed on the cute little angel that stood shyly before her.
“Ben, Marie,” said the social worker, “this is Grace.”