Grace

To often than not we get in the way and screw things up and then we feel like crap or just flat out ridden with guilt because of our actions. Over the past year God has been teaching me the meaning of Grace and what it means to live a Grace filled life. Grace is tricky in the Christian relationship with God because it can usually go two ways license and legalism. I'll explain what I mean later on, but for now I wanna talk about Grace and what it means.

Grace:

1

a : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification

b : a virtue coming from God

c : a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace

2

a : approval, favor <stayed in his good graces>

b archaic : mercy, pardon

c : a special favor : privilege <each in his place, by right, notgrace, shall rule his heritage — Rudyard Kipling>

d : disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency

e : a temporary exemption : reprieve

So here is a few definitions of Grace. As you see it's completely opposite of guilt, shame, or condemnation, but I can tell you from experience that all the three that are listed above get in the way of us understanding Grace. True Grace that comes from our relationship with Jesus and taking hold of the Grace Filled life is something that we need to understand. More often than not Grace is a concept that a person can't learn in a group, but has to come to understand through their relationship, experiences, and just life. For me when I'm not experiencing grace I usually feel like their is a weight around my heart then I know to start praying and that's when I usually realize what's there whether its guilt, shame, or condemnation. Every person has to come to their own understanding of how to recognize and deal with not experiencing grace. There is not a one method fits all and there rarely is in the Christian walk.

License and Legalism are the two most common things to get stuck with when trying to grasp what it means to live a Grace Filled life. I say this because if you look at the word grace which by definition means temporary exemption. Then by that you can take that and say, "Oh I'm exempted so I can do whatever I want." Well that's wrong you can't, but technically you can that goes more into free will and I'm not to hear to talk about that. There are still the 10 Commandments that need to be followed and there are the teachings to, but this is a thin line to be walked. It's like trying to shoot playing that's turn turn vertically sideways. The card is vertical then turned so all you can see is the width which is an extremely small target. Now try and shoot the card, oh it can be done just like walking the line of the Grace Filled life. Yes it can be done. Legalism is the total opposite and this is where you can only do x, y, and sometimes z. You have a strict set of rules that you follow and that's that! You break one well you better start praying!

By now you are beginning to see the picture and what has to happen for us as Christians to walk in the Grace Filled life. Once we truly begin to understand Grace, we can give that to others. Others who at times may not deserve it or we question should we really extend Grace to them. Well the answer is Yes and always will be because it's amazing what happens when we begin to extend Grace to non-believers and to believers who are hurting and in need of it! Do not take Grace for granted! I hope and pray that all of you will come into a full understanding of what it means to live a Grace Filled Life!! Take care and God Bless you on this New Years (Eve)!!

© Nathan Fahlin