An Overflowing Grace

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Ephesians 1:2-3

Many years ago a close friend betrayed us by becoming involved in something extremely destructive to the ministry of Baptist Mid-Missions in Liberia. While we knew he did not intend to hurt us personally, it nevertheless hurt a lot. After this difficult time, our friend moved to another country and we had no contact for many years.

Recently when we heard he was moving back to Liberia. Mark and I wanted to do the right thing but were uncertain what that would even look like. God, in separate ways and using separate means, convicted us that we were to be in no way reserved, but instead were to lavishly pour grace on him. 

So, setting aside our fears and doubts, we proceeded to do just that. And how wonderful God was to us. The same work God had done in our lives, God  had done in our friend's life, making our reunion a beautiful one—far beyond any expectation.

God used this recent event to reinforce an understanding of Ephesians 1 that has totally captivated me. The word grace (charis in the original language, Greek), this amazing "kindness, favor, or gift" of God, shows up for the first of twelve times in the book of Ephesians in the second verse and is explained in all its wonder in the following verses.

Growing up I learned the Sunday school definition of grace—"God's riches at Christ's expense." And,  while true, that definition doesn't go nearly far enough to explain it. According to the book of Ephesians, because of Christ's work on the cross, I am adopted into God's family, accepted by Him, redeemed from sin, forgiven, and given both wisdom and an inheritance. Any one of those "graces" would be amazing beyond words, but the combination of them is spiritual riches even my very fertile imagination cannot begin to grasp. 

Pretending to be full of grace is unnecessary. Real grace from the overflow of God's grace lavished on me is available. If I choose, out of this spiritual reservoir I can pour grace on others. Even those who have hurt me. Especially those who have hurt me.

Image Heidi Sheppard

See Graceful at Last.
See The Lowest Servant in the Room.