“She was very gracious in accepting my apology,” we say with heartfelt admiration. “He gave a very gracious speech in light of the circumstances,” we add, aware he could have done differently. Our common references to grace reveal we most always link it to “something that didn’t have to be done that way,” or someone who made a noble choice to rise above the normal human lust for power, wealth, or influence. Grace is always a choice, even in difficult, vexing moments. And there we find a useful definition of God’s gracious acts toward us: they are always somethings He was never obligated to do. It was it is—a choice, a principled, character-driven, even painful decision to offer us His love and His forgiveness. Even when we spat on His Son, and beat Him badly, and laughed at His extremity, and mocked Him as He died. If God were not gracious, all who have ever lived would be doomed. “For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). But grace is real; forgiveness happens, and broken lives are made brand-new. In every hour—on every day—the Father offers the mercy we will neither merit nor deserve. And all for the deep satisfaction He receives of seeing us embraced and welcomed into the kingdom of His Son. So stay in grace. -Bill Knott
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GRACE ON THE GROUND (December 4, 2020)
FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH (November 27, 2020)
THE GREAT UNLEARNING (November 13, 2020)
BEYOND THE GALAXY (November 6, 2020)
THE BEST KIND OF GRAFFITI (October 30, 2020)
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING (October 23, 2020)
WINNING TOGETHER (October 16, 2020)
WHEN GRIPPED BY GUILT (October 9, 2020)
BEYOND DEBATE (October 2, 2020)
BEST SELFIE OF ALL (September 25, 2020)
THE ROAD MUCH TRAVELED (September 18, 2020)
RE-TELLING GRACE (September 11, 2020)
GRACE KNEELS (September 4, 2020)
BEYOND REGRET (August 28, 2020)
TENACIOUS GRACE (August 21, 2020)
WHEN GRADITUDE IS ALL (August 14, 2020)
LOVE ON TRIAL (August 7, 2020)
WHY WE FORGIVE (July 31, 2020)
CAN'T HELP OURSELVES (July 24, 2020)
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