God is gracious

 One of the great defining attributes of God is His grace. God blesses us even though we in no way deserve His blessings and could in no way earn them. Grace is God’s unmerited favour.

We see God’s grace at work in many ways. He’s gracious not only to those who honour Him, but to all humankind. Titus 2.11 says, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” We see God’s grace in every good gift around us, the sunshine and rain, food and friendships, comforts, joys, and countless blessings every day. But not everyone responds to God’s grace. In fact, Isaiah 26.10 tells us, “Though grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness, even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil.” God’s grace isn’t based on our response but on His changeless character. He is constantly and consistently gracious.

Think about it for a moment. If it weren’t for God’s grace, none of us would be granted even a nanosecond to turn from our sins. Our sins deserve God’s immediate wrath. But because God is a God of grace, He provides us with the opportunity to repent and be restored to full fellowship with Him.

God’s grace also provides the means of forgiveness, the death of His own Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus paid the price for our sins, that is, He redeemed us. According to Ephesians 1.7, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Because God is gracious to us, He redeemed us through Jesus' death on the cross. Our salvation is purely an act of God’s grace. As Ephesians 2.8 tells us, “It is by grace you have been saved through faith.” Romans 3.23-24 puts it this way, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Because God is a God of grace, we can be saved forever from our sins and their consequences.

But God’s grace doesn’t end with our salvation. John 1.16 says, “From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.” We are the blessed recipients of God’s endless grace.

Because God is a God of grace, we can receive His gracious gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Have you received God’s Son into your heart? Why not accept the grace He offers you today? Then, when you’ve received God’s grace, learn to be gracious to those around you. Let grace characterise your hearts, actions, and words. As Colossians 4.6 reminds us, “Let your conversation be always full of grace.” God is gracious. Let’s follow His example in the way we treat others.