Surprised by Grace

Christianity. It’s a faith full of surprises. One of the most surprising aspects of my walk with Christ lies in the unsuspecting, mysterious expressions of grace

I’ve known about grace all my life. God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense, right? Anyone who has even a slight brush with Christianity has probably sung, “Amazing Grace.” But we become so familiar with the concept of grace we almost miss its power.

Grace offered me salvation when I didn’t even realize I needed saving. It still does. When the Holy Spirit reveals hidden pockets of darkness in my soul, it’s grace that enables me to repent rather than fall prey to self-justification.

Grace shows up in unexpected places when we let his Spirit saturate us. I’m angry at the behavior of a fellow believer, but when I go to confront her, a loving concern, instead of righteous indignation, overcomes me. That’s grace. Disappointments that used to hang on me like the odor of rotting potatoes no longer linger. That’s grace. Someone lobs a hurtful remark my way, but I let it go. That’s grace.

Paul warned the Corinthians not to take the grace of God in vain. He said if they failed to give what they received, their supply would soon dry up. The nature of grace bid them to pass on the unmerited riches. As they poured out grace, their storehouse of grace would actually increase! Yet another surprising quality of this precious commodity.

Don’t receive God’s grace in vain. Get soaked in its surprises!

Father God, thank you for your grace. May we not take it in vain. Please continue to pour out on our undeserving hearts and then let us, in turn, pour it out upon others. Amen.

Go Deeper — Take some time to consider all the ways God has poured out his grace on your life. Who do you know that could use a bit of it from you?

Read Further — about Sufficient Grace if you are feeling that you fall short of being good enough to receive it.