Reflecting God’s Grace

“I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him in all speech and all knowledge.” 1 Corinthians:4-5.

 

Can you imagine living in a world in which God did not pour out His grace and mercy on us each day? Can you imagine doing any activity or service without knowing we are basking in God’s grace?

 

My Dad showed me grace when I was three years old. Twice a year we had to change our windows to match the seasons. In Spring we put screens up to cover our regular windows. In Fall we replaced the screens with storm windows as double insulation. I was in the front yard helping dad. There was a big storm window leaning against the porch. I threw a hammer through it. When Dad asked me why I did it, I told him it was dirty. He could have walloped me. Instead he showed me grace. He said he just huffed and giggled. Then he sent me inside to help my mom.

 

Like the moon reflects light from the sun, we either reflect the Light of Christ or darkness with everyone we meet. We make that choice all day long. We have been given grace in Christ Jesus; and Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1, “that in everything you were enriched in Him in all speech and knowledge.” v.5. Think about that for a moment. Enrichment indicates something added to make something else better. If you add chocolate syrup to ice cream it makes it better. In other words what we say and what we know are a reflection of God’s enriching grace and determines the kind of impact we have on others.

 

God has enriched our lives with the grace He has freely given us. We probably whiz through many days without recognizing all the times God shows us His grace. When we study this Scripture passage we understand something. Paul says the grace God shows us means we, “are not lacking in any gift.” We’re fully equipped, fully prepared, and completely ready to share God’s grace with others. The more we take hold of His grace, the more we’re able to reflect His grace to others. Each time we show grace to someone else it changes us.

 

Sometimes, though, we show others grace to move us in a particular direction. That’s self enrichment. God does not work that way. Grace is not about us. Grace is solely about what God has done and will do for us.

 

Do you anticipate what God is going to do through you with His grace? Are you conscious of the times during the day that He shows you His grace? Why not go through the week anticipating what only God can do in your life? We all are witnesses to what God’s grace has done and is doing. We all can testify that we have been enriched by His grace in good times and bad. God is abundant with His grace in the rain or the sunshine. He’s the one doing something in us by His grace in truly amazing ways.

 

So, how do you reflect God’s grace to others? If you were the moon as it reflects light from the sun, and people looked at you would they see a sliver of light, or a full moon? Or would they see a lunar eclipse, when no light from the moon is visible at all? We can’t show grace to others unless we understand the incredible grace God showed us all on the Cross. If we’re going to reflect the Light of Christ to others we must be anchored to the Cross. Our lives have to reflect an anchored focus on the Cross.

 

Does your life reflect God’s grace? You choose whether you will or won’t with every person you encounter every day.