CHRISTMAS GRACE

Here we are just a few days from Christmas. What a wonderful time of the year. In a world where the culture around us seems to be changing at lightning speed, still for most of us Christmas remains highly celebrated and full of family traditions. Most of these traditions are generational and picked-up during our childhood years.  Here in America, even while experiencing such diversity, a recent pole reflects 89% of people list Christmas as their favorite holiday.

What Do You Associate with Christmas?

For many people Christmas is mainly a family celebration. It is a day when the whole family is gathered and has a sense of togetherness. Childhood memories are evoked: gifts around the Christmas tree, Christmas music, special meals, treats, and mistletoe. It’s all so much fun.

Our Christmas festivities may also include attending a church service or perhaps a special kid’s program where the true meaning of Christmas is displayed by re-telling the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. For others it’s a special trip or a get-a-way to celebrate. And sadly, to some it’s just another holiday with no particular interest or celebration at all.

Why do we give gifts at Christmas?

I think we all know the history. Even if you have never attended church or read the Bible you know that God’s gift to humankind was the gift of His son, Jesus. He is denoted as the savior of the world, for after living a human life for 33 years, laid down His own life as the ultimate sacrifice for you and me. His birth, His example, His death, and His resurrection make Him—Jesus Christ—the greatest gift of all time. As we celebrate this amazing gift of Jesus, we too symbolically give gifts during the Christmas season. Let us be quick to remember in our giving, that He continues to offer to all the greatest gift—eternal life—and wants to teach us love, forgiveness, joy and peace.

Love, Joy, and Peace are appropriately popular words around the Christmas season, and I love those words and their true reflection of life lived with Jesus in our hearts. But there is one singular word which I believe more adequately sums up Christmas. It is a word we are all familiar with, however it is rarely hung upon our Christmas trees or placed upon our fireplace mantels. The word is GRACE.

Grace simply put is God’s favor and kindness toward us. Grace although often reciprocal, is only available if it is given. It can never be taken or received without it first being given or offered. This is what makes it a gift. We have been offered the gift of grace in the form of God’s very own son, Jesus.

Let’s break it down… G.R.A.C.E

G.R.A.C.E, appropriately is for GOD. God so loved the world that He gave His son so that we could have eternal life (see John 3:16). This gift to us is the ultimate gift of Gods love. Gods plans for humankind has always been to offer a way to His grace. God is the author and creator of all that we can and will ever know. He knew each one of us before we were formed in our mother’s womb (Jer 1:5). By God’s grace, He has given us all the ability to choose. His ultimate plan for every individual is that we would use our free will and make the choice to accept His loving grace. See Josh 24:15, Prov 16:9, Mark 8:34, Rev 3:20)

G.R.A.C.E is for RIGHTEOUSNESS. This is a wonderful, precious word. Yet, for many it either has a negative connotation or it is regarded as something that is very difficult to obtain. After all, to be righteous literally means to be morally correct and without fault. Most people associate being righteous with the things one does or doesn’t do in life—a moral code, if you will. This is admirable to most, and these can be wonderful people…even when they are not Christians. I just don’t believe it is something one can actually obtain by the way that you live.

As Christians, we should absolutely have a strong moral code. How we live our lives and the testimony of our lives is why we are purposed to remain on this earth. Otherwise we would be in heaven right now. We are in fact called to represent (re-present) Jesus, Right? Righteousness is hugely important in how we live our lives. The word righteous is mentioned 558 times in the Bible. But here’s the thing, as a Christian, there is nothing you can do or don’t do in life that will make you any more righteous than you already are. We are counted righteous in the eyes of the Lord when we receive Jesus by faith (1 Cor 5:21, Eph 3:9) our righteousness is based on the gift of what Jesus did for us on the cross. The righteousness that was Christ’s is counted on us. We, then are seen as righteous in the eyes of God (Is 61:10)

Does this mean then that we should not strife to do good works? Of course not, the Bible also says that we have been created in Christ Jesus for good works (Eph 2:10) But in doing so, cannot obtain to be made any more righteous than we already are.

G.R.A.C.E is for APPLICATION. Grace is the gift of God which is made available to ALL who will receive it (John 3:16, Rom 6:23, Eph 2:8). But you must make the choice to receive it. Recently we purchased a guitar as a gift for our oldest grandchild, Skylee. However, we were not able to actually deliver it to her until a week after her birthday. We purchased and took possession of it when we purchased it, but Skylee had to actually receive the gift from us in order to have and enjoy it.

Friends, there are people all around us this Christmas who are celebrating while not seeing or accepting the gift of grace that is available to them. Perhaps that is even you. The gift has already been purchased and is being offered to you. My prayer is that the love of God and the grace demonstrated through Jesus Christ would be received this Christmas…even this very day!

G.R.A.C.E is for CHRIST. Jesus Christ is grace. He is the substance or personification of grace that was given and continues to give freely to all who will receive it. In Titus 2:11-15 Paul also uses Him as a synonym for grace and all of its powers and benefits, as though Christ exemplified all aspects of grace rolled up in one package. In this way, we can more easily identify and understand grace and its meaning to us. Notice further what Jesus—grace—is doing: It is teaching us.

Sadly, there are also many good people who are trying to get God’s acceptance by things that they do, or simply by becoming a better person. Hoping that on their final day, God will somehow pull out his calibrated balance and see that the good outweighs the bad—thereby rewarding their works with grace. Friend, it just doesn’t work that way. God’s word doesn’t support that idea at all. In fact, the Bible is very clear of the opposite. The Apostle Paul said that if our righteousness comes from works (what we do or don’t do) then Christ died in vain (Gal 2:16,21). Additionally, Ephesians 2:8-9 says:  “For it was only through this wonderful grace that we believed in him. Nothing we did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the gracious gift from God that brought us to Christ!  So no one will ever be able to boast, for salvation is never a reward for good works or human striving.”

Just as God’s grace pours abundantly upon our lives, our works will then overflow as blessings into the lives of others. Friends, humbly accepting Jesus Christ and the gift of grace is the only way of salvation. All other religions of the world focus on works that will please God and thereby win God’s favor. But trusting in Jesus is the only way to obtain what you are looking for (Jn 14:6, Jn 1: 4,9; Acts 4:12, 1 Cor 15:14,17)

The Bible also refers to believers who were attempting to win favor in Gods sight by obedience or justification through doing works, The Bible says, “you have fallen from grace.” Gal 5:4

Today a popular saying is “you have good, or you have experienced some bad karma.” Or “if you do good…good karma will come back to you.” This is the counterfeit. Grace is the opposite of karma. The gospel message is all about God’s grace through Jesus Christ. That’s why Paul calls it “the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24) and “the word of His grace” (Acts 14:3). Furthermore, His grace gives us our identity (1 Cor 1:10) and gives us strength (2 Tim 2:1, Heb 13:9). And finally, God grace through Christ is what allows us to confidently stand before God (Rom 5:2).

G.R.A.C.E is for EMPATHY. Empathy is defined by Webster’s as “the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.” In common words, “putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.” Empathy is woven deep into the fabric of Scripture. Virtually every instruction God offers regarding the way we’re to treat others begins with empathy. Ephesians 4:29 tells us that building another up gives grace to them; Colossians 3:12 instructs us to put on kindness; and in John 15:12 we are commanded to love one another.

Jesus is our example, and everywhere Jesus went, he reached out to those who were hurting. Just as Gods love and forgiveness can be applied to each and every one of us, we too must offer grace to others. We must realize that we are all uniquely and wonderfully made, with each one of us being on a personal journey.

Inevitably, we all have people in our lives of which EGR (extra grace required) needs to be applied. It’s that rude boss, or difficult relative. It may even be a political leader, or it could even be a spouse, sibling, or parent.  Whatever the relationship, true empathy means that you don’t pass judgment on these individuals; it’s offering them grace instead. The Apostle Peter counseled Christians to have “compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous” (1 Peter 3:8)

Life is all about relationship. In fact, it’s the reason why we are all here on planet earth. Jesus’ Parable of the Talents reminds us that relationships are precious gifts that he entrusts to us as opportunities to administer grace by showing love and thereby multiply the number of people who will enjoy Him forever (see Matt 25:14-21). I for one am so grateful for the grace that has been offered to me, aren’t you? Being gracious to others and having empathy toward them should be our natural response.

Always remember that grace is a gift. You can’t earn it, but you get a lot of it—so let’s give it away!

A heartfelt Merry Christmas from our wonderful family to you and yours. We are truly blessed by the Best as we celebrate the most wonderful and precious gift the world will ever know. Enjoy this Christmas season and we look forward with you into what God does in and through your life in 2020.

-Mark and Tracy