Grace--God's Unconditional Love
Scripture Reading — Ephesians 2:1-10
By grace you have been saved, through faith--and this ... is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8
"Amazing grace--how sweet the sound..."
Grace is unconditional love in action. The early church was filled with people who were devoted to the apostles' teaching. At the heart of that teaching was grace. Though none of Christ's followers deserved a relationship with God, God moved into their lives. He saved them not only from themselves but also from powers of sin and death far greater than they could handle on their own.
Grace is so amazing because by grace God chose to redeem those who had rejected him. When people reject me, I either become angry and lash out against them, or I resolve to cut them out of my life. God certainly has every right to be angry. His justice demands that rebellion and sin have to be punished. Yet God put his love into action by sending his only Son to bring reconciliation. Jesus left his heavenly throne and descended into the tomb by way of the cross.
Don't take grace lightly. Salvation may be a gift, but it is the most expensive gift ever. We can only begin to imagine the pain Jesus went through to make this gift possible. Add to that the pain of the Father, who could only stand by and watch, and grace becomes unimaginable. Is it any wonder that grace is called amazing?
"Amazing grace--how sweet the sound ..."
Father, we thank you for your gift of grace. Our hope, our joy, and our salvation depend on grace--the gift of your Son, Jesus. Help us to live each day in your grace. Amen.
About the author — Jerry Dykstra
Pastor Jerry Dykstra was recently appointed as the executive director of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. After a 15-year career in business, he trained for pastoral ministry and served as the pastor of Cascade Fellowship CRC, Cascade, Michigan, and Faith Christian Fellowship CRC, Walnut Creek, California. He and his wife, Linda, live in Byron Center, Michigan, and have three children and seven grandchildren.
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