Over the past few weeks we have been going through a series dealing with relationships during our weekly Epic meeting at UW. We have been discovering as a group what it means to be in relationship with God, with people, and how it all intertwines with one another. One thing that I love about having that opportunity to teach and lead others, you are probably the biggest beneficiary from the content that you are preparing.
One thing that has come up often as we have gone through our series is the realization of how much grace is and always should be our foundational building block of all relationships.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
6 And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. Romans 11:6
As believers the realization that we are saved through grace truly brings the word freedom that we share in Christ into perspective. When we are able to understand and fully embrace God's grace it allows us to truly appreciate the joy of knowing the love that comes from God.
A love so great, so vast, limitless that we ought to share with one another. But if Christ is now in us through grace, does that too mean we too ought to shine this grace onto others who have yet to experience this freedom? It is a question that I continue to explore and seek how it would look like to share God's grace with other people, believers and nonbelievers alike. One thing that I try to do as I continue throughout my day is approach others in a way that would reflect God's grace.
Granted we are human and are in a spiritual struggle between our flesh, the world, and the devil, I find myself continuously needing to remind myself of God's love by asking what does it mean to fully embrace this grace given to us so that the joy that we share in Christ can be complete in fullness.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:8-11
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