I had learned the principle over the years, but there was a time when my awareness of the grace God had given to me in its totality, unreservedness, and even unfairness, because Jesus gave me His perfect rightness and exchanged it for my sin (2 Corinthians 5:21), the principle of my giving grace because I know the profundity of grace being received, overwhelmed me. And I gave, because God had given to me, in totality, unreservedness, and even unfairness. And in truth, I gave too because God’s grace enabled me.
The Message paraphrase clearly shares with us a group of people who were blessed themselves by God’s grace. Their first response was a giving of themselves to God, and to give themselves in turn to others. Here is the account from “The Message."
Now, friends, I want to report on the surprising and generous ways in which God is working in the churches in Macedonia province. Fierce troubles came down on the people of those churches, pushing them to the very limit. The trial exposed their true colors: They were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. I was there and saw it for myself. They gave offerings of whatever they could – far more than they could afford! – pleading for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor Christians.
This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives. That’s what prompted us to ask Titus to bring the relief offering to your attention, so that what was so well begun could be finished up. You do so well in so many things—you trust God, you’re articulate, you’re insightful, you’re passionate, you love us—now, do your best in this, too. (2 Corinthians 8:1-7)
What has pushed you to the limit?? What fierce troubles have been yours? Did you place those things in the hands of God and trust Him for His provision and care? Did you find yourself a recipient of God’s grace, either directly, or as He used the hearts, the hands, the love and compassion of others? Or maybe, the grace you are so certain of, came as Jesus’ sacrifice became the eradicator of your guilt, and you walked forward as a growing child of God to become more and more like His Son, Jesus? Whatever is your own story, our awareness of God immersing us in His grace, needs to flood our hearts with a gratitude that continually motivates us in our response to God Himself, but then also, in our responses to others. What are their needs? How can I share God’s grace with them? And my giving of grace may be helping with physical needs, or it may be a listening ear for someone else who has been pushed to the limits – someone who is broken by misunderstanding, or loss, others isolating them, or ........... Build the bridge of relationship. Walk with them in their grief. Share God’s truths of forgiveness. Encourage them by just being present. Fill some care-giving hours for them.
That’s the pattern of God’s grace. Receive grace. Give grace. And give praise to God for all He gives, and for all He enables. Personally, there is no greater joy.
– Bev
