SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1238
“Visible Grace”
The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you. – 2 Timothy 4:22
Grace is a word that is often used in Christian circles.
‘Grace be with you.’
‘Grace upon Grace’
‘Grace and Peace’
‘Grace and Truth’
‘Great Grace was upon them all’
But what does grace look like, practically speaking? Is it tangible and visible or just a spiritual concept?
Grace is found at the intersection with mercy as outlined in the parable Jesus taught about the unforgiving servant.
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
Therefore, the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants… one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay…out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ … Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ …- Matthew 18:21-35
Grace begins with God forgiving our sins when we, by faith, accept salvation through Jesus. We had a sin debt that we could not pay, and Jesus paid our debt for us through His death on the cross.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16
This is visible grace in action. This is God’s grace to us.
For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9
Having received grace, God expects us to give His grace to others. He wants to pour His abundant grace through us to others.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. – Titus 2:11-12
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. – 2 Corinthians 9:8
For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward. – Mark 9:41
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. – Hebrews 13:16
Grace looks like Forgiveness.
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven … – Matthew 5:43-45
…and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. – Matthew 6:12
Grace looks like Joyful Giving.
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. – 2 Corinthians 9:7
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share … 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Grace looks like Serving.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. – 1 Peter 4:10
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. – Mark 10:45
Grace is not just a spiritual concept. It is a real, tangible and visible demonstration of God’s love to people, sinners and saved alike, that He pours out through His church.
By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another. – John 13:35
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. – 2 Peter 1:2
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. – Revelation 22:21
Sword of the Spirit 