Moms Together Newsletter- March
March 11,2009
Live a Life of Grace
Shortly after moving into our first home, I purchased a wall plaque with the verse, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” 2 Peter 3:18. I purchased the plaque because its frame is green, my favorite color and the color of the accent pieces in the house, and I wanted something that spoke “Christian-ese”. I had no idea, only having been married 3 years when we purchased the house, how this plaque would become more than a pretty picture on the wall. This plaque has become a daily reminder of what I am to exemplify to my husband and children, and what I am to strive for in my quiet time with Jesus.
In 2 Peter 3:16 grace, or “Charis” in Greek is an action word meaning “of manner or act” dealing especially with the “divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.” That is a mouthful! According to this definition, then, I am to demonstrate outwardly what God is doing on the inside in my heart. Therefore, if I am not allowing God to work inside, my outer actions will show it. However, if I am giving time to prayer, Bible reading and actively seeking God in my life, grace will be revealed through my actions. As I’ve thought about this particular meaning of grace in relation to my family I’ve come up with three insights: I can exemplify grace with my words, I need to exemplify grace with my actions, and I must accept and live out God’s grace to me.
How can I exemplify grace through my words to my family? It is very tough to show God’s grace and His working in my life in the heat of temper-tantrums, childish arguing and days where sleep has been denied. It is on those days that Matthew 15:17-18 gives me pause, “Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.” Ouch! When I am lacking in grace, I need to think of these words and decide if I want to be a woman defiled. I have a choice when it comes to words and my family. I can stop and think before I speak or I can yell out in the heat of the moment. I know that I will do both some days, however, if I am consistently putting God’s words into my heart, I will have a much better chance of showing grace through my words to my family.
Grace Kelley and Audrey Hepburn represented to the world a form of grace. They walked with elegance and grace, they spoke gently with uplifting words, they dressed sophisticatedly, and they protected their reputation and family. Even though these ladies have been gone for many years, they are still looked on as icons of a more gracious time. We can learn many things about showing grace through actions from these ladies. Speaking quietly and gently to my kids and husband even when I am very angry is acting out grace. Protecting my husband’s reputation, even when I want to tear it down as payback for some wrong, is showing grace through actions. Disciplining my children while not tearing down their self-esteem is another form of grace in action. To be filled with grace is to be elegant, thoughtful and gentle in all situations.
Perhaps the most difficult grace action is accepting and believing that God has given grace to us. Sometimes it is easier to give grace than it is to receive grace from the ultimate grace giver. Jesus created man (and woman) in His image and blessed them (Gen. 1:27-28). Man then fell into sin and was cast out of the garden. However, God did not turn his back, he offered grace. In Genesis 4 God speaks to Cain and offers him grace by saving his life, even though Cain had taken the life of his brother. This is just one example of God’s love and grace for his people. Time and again God saves man from their mistakes and gives them another chance. King David is an incredible example of that. David slept with another man’s wife, but God gave him grace and allowed David to continue in a relationship with Him. Peter, one of Jesus disciples and closest friend, denied Jesus 3 times, but God gave His grace and multiplied Peter’s ministry and allowed him to reach many others for Christ. Though we still have to accept consequences for our actions, God will give us grace in the consequence. Friends, if you have a hard time accepting grace search out the reason why. Have you accepted that God has given you grace? Do you hold on to a false belief that God could never give you grace because of ____? Ladies, there is nothing that can separate you from the love of Christ (Romans 8:38-39). You are keeping yourself from His love and His grace. To give grace fully, you must fully accept His grace in your life.
How can we begin to grow in grace today? We can replace harsh words with gentle words. We can discipline thoughtfully rather than with anger, and we can begin to accept God’s grace in our life, rather than think that we are beyond His ability to forgive.
Take Home
1. Romans 8:38-39 says,38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” Is there anything that you are hanging onto that falls into any one of these categories? What is the reason that you can’t let it go? Claim God’s promise today that nothing can separate you from Him. Write down those things for which you have not accepted His grace. Pray to accept His grace, and then burn those items as a testimony to accepting His grace in your life.
2. Read Matthew 15:17-18. List some ways that you can fill your heart with God’s words.
3. List three ways that you can show your family grace this week.
Kathy Hansen www.revealedministry.wordpress.com writerkate7@gmail.com
