THANKFUL THURSDAY...where Grace is, love abounds

How many times do we turn our backs on someone instead of extending Grace to them? It seems like leaving, giving up or throwing our hands in the air is the easy thing to do. I have wondered why it is so difficult for man to extend Grace to others?

God's Grace is astounding to me! His kind of Grace certainly differs from man's ideal of Grace. God's Grace means that He accepts me IN SPITE of my sin. Man's idea of Grace sometimes comes in a different form. We can turn our love and affection off quickly BECAUSE of sin. It's difficult to see past the wrong doings of people sometimes.

I have a tendency to see good in people. Even before they see it. I believe that every person, no matter how bad their past may have been, can turn around and be a good person. The reason I believe this is because of God's Grace. Before I came to know God, I was a sinner. I didn't murder anyone. I didn't rob anyone. I didn't spend any time in prison for anything. However, I was still a sinner.

Sin is sin. There is no grey area when we talk about sin. We can't say we just sin "alittle" bit or "alot". We either sin or we don't. The only measure that God uses for our sin is whether or not we have repented and have been forgiven. The measurement that God uses for sin is the heart.

1 SAMUEL 16:7 "For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Each of us are sinners. Some of us are just sinners saved by Grace! I like what John Piper said about Grace..."Grace is power, not just pardon." When God reaches down and gives His Grace, He not only PARDONS our sin, but He gives us the POWER to live according to His Word.

His Word implores us to love one another. Every word, every deed and every thought should not be based on love for yourself, we should each be propelled because of our love for God. When we fully understand that the Grace of God is the ultimate act of love, we will indeed have a deeper love for others, even those who seemingly seem unlovable.

Extending Grace to those who have hurt us or who are lost in their sin is an amazing act of love. After all, isn't that what God did for us? Where Grace is...love abounds.

Today on THANKFUL THURSDAY, I am so thankful for God's Grace and His love. Without it, I would still be lost in my sin. May I not forget what He has done for me, and may my remembrance propel me to extend Grace and Love to someone who needs it.

What are you thankful for today? Please share your grateful heart with us by linking up below!