I sing the solo grace “that saved a wretch like me,”—and so I should. Without it, I would be forever lost and never found.
But grace is more than what God does for me, though there may never be a hymn to fully capture that.
Grace is the Spirit moving in a hundred hearts when reconciliation is proclaimed from pulpits or on hillsides. “For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom 3:22-24).
Grace is the grip of someone I’ve offended who offers a forgiving hug, even when I haven’t gotten to “I’m sorry.” Grace is the circle of believers, certain of their brokenness, who willingly embrace the addict, the obnoxious, the pariah.
Just like the Child who was born to us, grace is God’s truth for all of us—on us; for us; with us; through us. “To all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave power to become children of God” (John 1:12).
We teach each other of this shareable redemption by not insisting on our rights; by silencing our cutting words; by holding those who seem intent on pushing us away. We live this grace together in a fellowship encouraging forgiveness.
Pray for the eyes to see this wider grace, to sing this fuller song.
And you will stay in grace. -Bill Knott
GraceNotes: The Certainties of Grace (December 21, 2018)
GraceNotes: Grace and Risk (December 14, 2018)
GraceNotes: For Goodness' Sake (December 7, 2018)
Transformation Tips: Resist The Python Spirit (December 2018)
Costin Jordache: What We Don't Know About Technology (December 2018)
ViewPoint: The Place Where I Worship (December 2018)
Journeys with Jesus: The Greatest Gift (December 2018)
GraceNotes: Persistent Grace (November 30, 2018)
Digging Deeper: The Creation Story (December 2018)
GraceNotes: Gratitude and Grace (November 23, 2018)
ViewPoint: Making Change Sustainable (November 2018)
GraceNotes: Grace Beyond Fear (November 16, 2018)
Zero Alcohol Consumption (November 2018)
GraceNotes: Grace and Clarity (November 9, 2018)
Cliff's Edge: Adventism After Auschwitz (November 2018)
Jared Thurmon: Do Robots Need The Law? (November 2018)
Searching The Obvious: Not Done (November 2018)
GraceNotes: The Gate of Grace (November 2, 2018)
Digging Deeper: Babylon (November 2018)
GraceNotes: Tenacious Grace (October 26, 2018)
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Tangent on Veritas Catholic Network
Life After Ministry
Devoted To Prayer
Philokalia Ministries
Hey Spirit! with Theresa Caputo