Got Grace?

Where and how have you known Grace in a relationship?

We believe we're generous in extolling God's Grace. I've never met a Christian who wasn't in favor of it (though some might aver there's too much of it floating around).  Still, too many have been deeply wounded by those who use the language of grace.

If someone were to be gracious to you what would you experience?

This much I know, Grace does not excuse or overlook bad behavior, poor choices...sin. At the same time, Grace does not shame, blame, judge or condemn. It does not control. How is that possible?

Grace refrained from telling me what I should do or condemning me for what I didn't do. Rather it shed light on what I could do and who I could become. Grace looked at my need rather than focusing on my failure. It did not minimize my hurt. Grace offered a safe place to bring into the light what was really happening inside me - what I was really feeling, experiencing - things that under condemnation, or because of shame I could not admit before. When those things came to light Grace helped me find a new path, a new way of thinking, to hear new messages of life and hope.

Grace valued me. My needs. It helped me uncover the root causes - wounds, habits, messages and imprints that shaped my behavior. Grace acknowledged my desires, my longings. It granted a safe place to recover and heal. Grace waited patiently. Gave me Time to uncover and discover what was really going on inside. Grace expressed empathy, leveled the playing field, shared hope and helped me live in reality. People through whom and with whom I experience grace frequently share insights from their own growth process that gave me hope and direction.

What is Grace?

Grace is resisting the impulse to fix someone (control), to know what is best for them (judgment & condemnation). Grace validates another's worth by valuing their needs, providing a safe place to reveal what is hidden, and the time to develop new habits, thinking and feelings.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus ... 

For what the Law could not do ... God did sending His own Son... 

Romans 8:1, 3ff.