Grace is a term widely used in the Christian faith. "For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith -- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast" Ephesians 2:8-9. Perhaps that is the most common place to see grace too. I have learned to define grace as the act of giving something to someone who doesn't deserve it. This is awesome when applied to the grace that Jesus showed us. Over the last several months I have seen a new side of grace.
For example...
In my relationship with Casey, I enjoy doing some things for her regardless of whether or not she wants me to. She will shoot me a little evil look when I grab her plate after dinner and take it to the dishwasher, almost to say "why did you do that? You didn't have to do that for me!" I pay absolutely no mind to "the look" because I enjoyed doing that small act to serve her. In the same way, Casey will fold and put away my laundry on occasion. (whether it is because it takes me so long and it frustrates her, or she is just doing it out of the kindness of her heart... I don't know). When I see she has either already finished this, or is in the act of it, I will almost beg her to either stop or say repeatedly, "You don't/didn't have to do that!!!"
To put this on a personal level, someone you have gone to dinner with has offered to pay for your meal. I personally know many people who will decline the offer and pay for their food when a perfectly willing, kind hearted person would have bought it for them. Think about how you were feeling when this happened. Regardless of whether or not you accepted the gift.
Happy? Surprised? Sure. But how about inadequate? Or unworthy? Maybe you feel bad that person would even offer their money.
The surface level of this five letter word is that free gift but as I have learned more and more about it there often a little offense taken too. I don't want Casey to feel like she has to put my laundry away. I don't want her to use some of her valuable time doing my chores. I also don't want her thinking I can't put my laundry away. She also doesn't want me taking my time to put her dishes away when she feels perfectly capable to take care of it.
The good thing here is that while I do take some offense to it, it will also help grow our relationship. The act of serving one another out of selfless love will increase the intimacy. In the same way, our relationship with Jesus can benefit from it. This is not from something that Jesus is going to do for us but how He has already served us beyond what we could ever imagine. Was I a little offended when I learned Jesus HAD to die on the cross for me to spend eternity with Him? Yes, I was. The pride in me said otherwise. On the other hand, as my relationship with Christ has grown, my realization of the gap between God and man has been more and more accurate. I have learned how much greater God is and how much worse I am. These two keep getting further and further apart too. The greater this gap, the greater the sacrifice Jesus had to make, and the greater the offense that can be seen in the cross.
Does this greater offense bring me in to a greater relationship with Him? Absolutely. Have I seen the love of Jesus in those who serve me selflessly? Yes, I have. Have others seen the love of Christ in what I do for them? I pray that they do. Do they find the same offense in the grace I show as the grace Jesus showed us? I certainly hope so. Then Jesus has shown Himself to them through me.
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