His Grace is Enough for me

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

It must be running in the family this week…. BG wrote about “playing church”… and today I was going to write about Grace from that book that I am STILL reading… “Ragamuffin Gospel”. It’s taking me a long time to get through it, but it’s really hitting home.

Today I got cut off by a guy with a church license plate holder. I wanted to ask him “are you just playing church?” Then I thought about it for myself. If you don’t forgive him for such a small (but really RUDE) act, are YOU just “playing church”?

We’re happy and thankful for God’s grace, but do we extend it ourselves? In the book there was a passage (the page is ear-marked), it really hit hard, and I’ve read it over and over the last couple of days:
Grace tells us that we are accepted just as we are. We may not be the kind of people we want to be, we may be a long way from our goals, we may have more failures than achievements, we not be wealthy or powerful or spiritual, we may not even be happy, but we are nonetheless accepted by God, held in his hands. Such is his promise to us in Jesus Christ, a promise we can trust.

If I don’t accept this fact, that God’s grace is overwhelming, and it’s something that no matter how I fail, no matter how I succeed, God accepts me just the way I am. And in Him, are all my successes, and He carries me in His hands through all my failures. Remember, I told you, I never feel good enough, and I guess this was a good shot to the head that I am worthy, because whether I feel good enough or not, God accepts me just am I am.

So, if I don’t accept God’s grace, actually swim in it, then am I just “playing church”? His promises are not like mine, they are true, even with my best intentions I have to break a commitment or fall short, but God’s promise, it has nothing to do with intentions, He always carries through, for what’s best for me.

As BG says, “He’s not playing Savior”.

Heavenly Gracious Father, I am so thankful for Your grace. I am asking that you help me be more graceful to those around me. Please remind me when I am on the verge of playing church, help me to stop, send me gentle reminders and not-so-gentle reminders if need be. Help me to live Your will. Give me the strength and the wisdom to live Your way, Lord, not mine. And Lord, again, thank You so much for Your grace and mercy.

Acts 15:11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."