Grace is the one thing that makes Christianity different from all other religions. No other religious group offers salvation through grace nor do they teach their followers to live their lives as an ACT OF GRACE.
But, Jesus does! He teaches us to follow His ACT OF GRACE by sharing the message of His grace with others. “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole of creation.” Mark 16:15
While other religious groups concern themselves about their hierarchy and their world dominance our Lord humbled Himself and died on the cross so we could all be saved through His humility. “And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8
Jesus came to deliver us from bondage and captivity. He did not come to be our dictator or interrogator. Nor did He come to be the one who incarcerated us but He came to give us our liberty. “You were bought with a price, do not become slaves of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23
That’s what God’s grace does. It gives fresh air to those who are suffocating. It reaches down to those who are drowning. It is an anchor of hope for those who feel hopeless. It is comforting to those who are captivated by fear. It is a loving embrace for all who desperately need a hug.
Someone has well written: “Grace saves us, justifies us, sanctifies us, and empowers us for His service. Grace filled living is exercising the gift that grace provides and spreads the gospel of grace to a hurting and dying world.”
Can you think of any better way to live your life? No other life can compare with one that is set on reaching others with an ACT OF GRACE. Remember the words of Jesus, how He said,
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
So where do we begin? Forgiving others is the one great act that sets Christianity apart from all other religions and Jesus gives us the supreme example when He cried out from the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34
In like manner we show a great ACT OF GRACE when we pray for the forgiveness of others. “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you…” Matthew 6:14
In addition to offering a prayer of forgiveness on the behalf of others we do another great ACT OF GRACE when we share our hope of eternal life with others. When we share with others our hope of eternal life through Jesus we are sharing the greatest gift that we could ever give them. Think of it as one beggar telling another where to find bread or a wayward traveler finding a beautiful oasis in the desert and letting others know where they can find it.
“We have found the Messiah (which means Christ). John 1:40-41
About the author:
Don and his wife Brenda have been married 48 years. They have two married sons Jason/Crista and Nicholas/Heather and four grandsons Luke, Ryker, Blake and Drew. Don is a graduate of the Gateway School of Preaching, Fairview Heights, IL, the Bristol Roads School of Biblical Studies, Flint, MI and he has a bachelor’s degree in religious education from Michigan Christian College. He has been preaching since 1979. He has preached at Pacific, MO; Howell, MI; Arnold, MO; Festus, MO; Dexter, MO; and De Soto, MO where he has served since 2007. He also serves the congregation as one of the elders. Don has done campaigns and meetings in several states and mission work in Cuba, India, and Jamaica. Don refers to himself as a “Minister” because he loves ministering to others and helping them learn about Jesus and growing in their relationship with Him.
De Soto church of Christ 