We do not earn grace!

An environment of grace encourages truth telling

Don't be embarrassed by your tears

Be very glad that the love and forgiveness of Jesus is deep and wide!

What happens in an environment of grace?

Has God been gracious to you?

God's Approval Is Its Own Reward

There may be times when the person who is being obedient to God will feel like a lone voice crying in the wilderness. Obedience to God may not be popular, it may go against the prevailing norms of a particular culture. Obedience to God may, by some measures, be costly.

It’s alright, though, because obedience to God is right.

I’ve observed Christian leaders who seemed to be seeking pity from others for their willingness to be obedient to God during times when it was difficult to be obedient to God. In fact, I hate to admit it but I’ve probably done that myself on a few occasions.

There is no need to take pity on the person who is being obedient to God, even if the person faces significant obstacles or difficulty. God’s approval is what matters. God’s love will sustain. God’s grace is sufficient. God is good!

The joy of pleasing the One whose opinion matters most is its own reward.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 1 Cor. 12:9

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

To Be Positive Is Better

I believe, in general, it is good and important to be positive. Over the years, I have discovered there is research in the field of psychology which confirms this is true. However, my understanding that being positive is a good thing is much more simple than that. It is based on the straightforward idea that having a primarily negative attitude throughout the course of life would be a miserable way to live. And in the end the negative person will look back and see that he/she has experienced a sad and sorry life.

(By the way, I have encountered a few people along this journey who have provided confirmation of this truth with their negative misery.)

My belief that being positive is good and important does not mean I am unwilling to recognize there are ugly, bad, evil, tragic, frustrating and sad things that occur. Of course I realize terrible things happen. No one is immune from this aspect of life.

But even though bad things occur I still believe we can choose to seek solutions and, because of the wonderful truth of God’s grace and mercy, attempt to focus on what is good. It may be that we seek the good even as the tears are flowing. But for the sake of my life and, frankly, for the sake of my own sanity I want to seek and find the good. It is not always easy to do this, and I have not always succeeded in this attempt, but I believe it is worth it.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

We Should Not Make It Hard For People To Turn To God

Occasionally, I run into religious people who believe their task is to create barriers that make it difficult for people to connect with God. They seem to think they are protecting God if they make it difficult for people to turn to Him.

I understand people may be concerned that God’s wonderful love and grace could be misunderstood as something cheap and insignificant.  That concern is valid.  God’s love and grace are not cheap, they are extraordinary, beautiful, lavish and of priceless value.

However, the truth is God does not want to make it difficult for people to find Him.  It is God’s own Word that calls the salvation He offers to us a “free gift.”  It is God’s own word that tells us if we seek Him we will find Him.

The Apostle James made a point of instructing some people not to make it difficult for others to turn to God by imposing lots of religious rules.  Here is the passage…

“And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.”  Acts 15:19  (If you take a moment to read the entire 15^th chapter of Acts you can get a little more of the context for this comment.)

God greatly desires that people would find Him.  So, we need to present the Gospel honestly and not make it anything less than what it really is.  Likewise, however, we do not need to create any unnecessary barriers. 

Does It Bother Us To Think That We Can't Save Ourselves?

The gospel actually has the potential of being offensive because it may bother us to think that we do nothing to redeem ourselves and make salvation possible. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8&9.