Grace, flowing from the heart...

Recently, I was reading through the book of Ephesians with a friend. One of the topics really caught my attention and I haven't been able to shake it since.

Ephesians 2:8-22 emphasize something we forget so often. Grace. God gave each of us grace when we entered the world. If it weren't for the grace of God, we would never be awakened to life in Him. We don't have anything to boast about. We don't have the right to flaunt what we have to others. We only have the right to accept the grace that God gave us, to accept that He made a way for each of us. There was a time when we were considered aliens, without hope, totally disconnected from God. But the grace extended to us, by Jesus, not only draws us into a relationship with him, but also into a fellowship with all of God's children. Instead of being lonely aliens (not the green things that drive UFO's), we are part of a family. Now, as with all families, the children fight. But God brought peace with him, as well as grace. He breaks down the walls that keep us from being a huge, loving family. His love, grace and peace are what keeps the family of God together. Together, as a fully functioning family, we create a habitation of praise and love, offered back to our Lord.

But without the grace, we are nothing. We cannot be a part of God's family without His grace. When I was pondering this, I drew in a thought about the controversial Roe Vs. Wade. And it stopped me dead in my tracks. Instead of demanding that we give women the choice of abortion or not, I thought of the idea that we have no right to strip the grace that God has given each of us from each other. (Totally not the direction you were thinking, was it?)

If God has given you grace, who am I to tell God that you had no right to receive that grace? Who is anyone to decide that you or I don't deserve the grace that God gives us? My challenge, to myself, and to everyone else, don't take anyone's grace away. God alone knows what others are going through and whether or not they deserve the grace He gives them. Instead, focus on yourself. Am I worthy, Lord, to receive the honor of the grace You bestow on me?