The Gift Of Grace

Read: Matthew 22:34-39

"By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." —Ephesians 2:8

A woman told me that when she was growing up, the kids next door weren’t allowed to play with her because she didn’t go to church. Later, when she became a Christian and told her mother, her mom replied, “You’re not going to start acting like you’re better than all of us, are you?” That mom got the wrong impression of Christians from her neighbors.

It’s good to be vigilant about the influences in our children’s lives, but not at the expense of sharing God’s love with our neighbors. Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:14-16 remind us: “You are the light of the world. . . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

We may feel a tension between living a holy, “separate” life (2 Cor. 6:17) and the great commandment to love our neighbor as much as ourselves (Matt. 22:39). But these two concepts don’t really conflict. A central part of a life of obedience to God is to show concern and love for the lost.

Since we did nothing to deserve salvation, we have nothing to boast of. Paul wrote, “By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9).

Share this gift of grace with others!

I do not ask for mighty words

To leave the crowd impressed,

But grant my life may ring so true

My neighbor may be blessed.  —Anon.

The best witness for Christ shows God’s grace  and shares His love.

by Cindy Hess Kasper

Verse of the day

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.

2 Thessalonians 1:3
New International Version 

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
"Increase my faith, O Lord." "Increase my strength." "Increase my wisdom." We often pray for these things, but when is the last time you thanked God for your love increasing? Can you think of anything more exciting to say about your church than "The love every one of you has for each other is increasing!" Lets pray and act to make it so! 

MY PRAYER...
Holy God, may your love so fill us that I share it with others who call on your name. May this love grow and increase in my life so others may readily see its benefits and recognize that it is a direct response to your lavish love shared with me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen