Grace

A New Year is the perfect time to pause and reflect on your life. Often individuals choose to make New Year's resolutions or self promises for improvement. Personally, I like to skip resolutions and instead sit with God and ask Him for a word that might set the tone for the year. Last year's word was "trust" and God did not disappoint. This year's word is "grace". 

In considering "grace" there are several aspects including the definition and its meaning for Christians. The Webster definition is, "unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification; a virtue coming from God; a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine assistance." 

From a Christian perspective, grace is God's favor towards us. Grace is a gift from God that cannot be earned. It's God giving us more than we deserve. God is grace. Grace is what God does because He is gracious. All we have from God is because of grace; creation, salvation, His never ending love, provision and protection are all because of God's grace.

As Christians we rejoice because of God's grace and still we have a responsibility to show grace to others. This is not always easy. As followers of Jesus Christ we are to have the mind and heart of Christ in all we do. This includes our interactions and relationships; especially with those we may feel don't deserve grace. Doing so demonstrates the love of Christ in action. Perhaps you too are hearing God say that you need to focus on grace. Pray that He with transform your behaviors and motives so that you can show grace to others.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. 

And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God."

Ephesians 2:8