Welcome Grace Fans!
 

Not long ago a friend from church, Bill, had several really good ideas for an upcoming car show we planned to attend as a group. He had been puttering around in his garage and found a “Welcome Race Fans” banner.

As he looked at the banner he recognized that the whole message of the banner could be changed by adding just one single letter. With the simple addition of a “G” the banner would read “Welcome Grace Fans!” I’m sure he wasn’t the first person to think of this idea but we laughed hilariously at his creative discovery! We hope to get some artwork done on the banner and get that “G” added so we can use it at an upcoming event.

Accepting God’s Grace and really being a “Grace Fan” is difficult for most of us and certainly something that does not come naturally. We are taught from our early years that it is only by our own efforts that success in life can be achieved.

Then we come to Christ and it is naturally hard to accept that, through His love, He provides us with a great salvation by His grace. It is a gift almost too wonderful to imagine.

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.”       

For me, accepting God’s gift of salvation made possible by God’s grace was an easy call. Someone explained grace to me as: God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense. If we are honest with ourselves, we quickly realize how far we fall short of God’s standard of perfection and how that no amount of effort on our part will allow us to earn our way to Heaven, so it makes sense to accept that free gift of salvation He offers. Accepting that Saving Grace, by faith, was a decision I made many years ago.  

Unfortunately, living life day to day in God’s Grace has been a lot tougher. I have found I can live very efficiently without God in my day-to-day life. I am ashamed to admit that sometimes I can go through a good part of the day without acknowledging Him and His blessings in my life. However, the only way I ever find true joy is to live my life in that same attitude of acceptance of the grace by which I received Christ. How did I receive him? By grace—through faith.  How do I live in Him? By grace—through faith.  

Paul puts it well: Colossians 2:6 “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him”   

I’m beginning to discover that I need to embrace the Grace of our Lord daily and become a fan of His grace. I need to be thankful even when things aren’t going perfectly according to my plan. And I need realize that when I fail I am still loved and forgiven.   

Although, we may have difficulty in comprehending all that God’s Grace means, that shouldn’t keep us from experiencing it and being grateful for all that He has done for us.  

Richard Lewis
Pathway Christian Church
Riverside, CA