God's Amazing Grace, Part 3

I thought I had posted this a week ago. Sorry about that!

Let's continue with the study of Grace, based on  1Cor13.

• Grace does not envy, 

envy: grudging desire for or discontent at the sight of another’s excellence or advantages.

Immediately after Jesus’ baptism, Satan tempted him with everything imaginable.(Mt 4:1-10) Jesus was content, however, with living his life to please his Father. (Jn 5:30) And what about God the Father? Paul answers that for us in Acts 17:24-25.

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.

•  grace does not boast,

boast: to praise oneself

Although God is perfect and holy, he doesn’t bring us down by praising himself. Jesus never boasted about anything. He did many miracles, and taught with great wisdom and authority, but He always gave the praise to His Father.

• grace is not proud.

proud: feeling that you are better and more important than other people.

synonyms: haughty, arrogant, lofty, supercilious, conceited.

Although God has all power, all might, all knowledge, and all wisdom, He is the very embodiment of humility, not pride. Rather than demanding that we worship Him, Jesus died on the cross to demonstrate his love for you and me.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

but made himself nothing,

taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself and became obedient to death --

even death on a cross!

(Php 2:5-8)

• Grace is not rude,

Rude: impolite, discourteous

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Mt 11:28-29)

I am rude when I have run out of patience, when I am being critical, or when I am focused totally on myself. God never runs out of patience. He is never critical. He is never self-focused. God, in his amazing grace, is never rude to us!

• grace is not self-seeking,

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of God our Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Gal 1:3)

Often my motivation can be selfish -- avoiding pain or hard work, wanting praise or attention. God is never motivated by selfishness. He gave himself for me. He gave himself for me when I was living as his enemy. He gave himself for me now that I am his daughter. God’s grace is all-giving. God is not looking out for his interests, rather he wants to give us life and love in all abundance. Since his grace is not self-seeking, it is not offered on a conditional basis. His grace will not run out.

Oh Gracious Father! It is such a privilege to be able to come before the King of the Universe with all confidence. That confidence does not come from anything I have done, but because of the sacrifice of Your Son. When You look upon me, You see the righteousness of Jesus!  Oh Father, thank You for Your incredible love and grace! Thank you that Your love and grace are so focused on pouring out everything You have for us. You want to bless us. You could easily demand that we worship You, but instead You chose to  sacrifice Your One and only Son that we may see how much You love us. Then You give us the choice to worship You or live for ourselves. Help me with every decision of every day to chose to worship You! It can be so easy to make selfish choices, yet when Jesus walked this earth, He never made even one selfish choice. He constantly gave, served, sacrificed, and lived for You. But in living for You, He found incredible joy and peace. May we also find that joy and peace that You offer to those who follow Jesus. To You praise and glory, Amen!