“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
Note: If you are blessed by GraceNotes, we invite you to subscribe.
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: The Road Much Traveled (September 18, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Re-telling Grace (September 11, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Grace Kneels (September 4, 2020)
Searching The Obvious - From Choice to Plan
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Beyond Regret (August 28, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Tenacious Grace (August 21, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: When Gratitud Is All (August 14, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Love On Trial (August 7, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Why We Forgive (July 31, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Can't Help Ourselves (July 24, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Say 'Thank You' (July 17, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Believably Good News (July 10, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Opening The Gates (July 3, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: One Good Work (June 26, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Walking Together (June 19, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Righting Our Wrongs (June 12, 2020)
Dixil Rodriguez: Forecast: Heavy Rain (June 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: First Personal Plural (June 5, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Widening The Circle (May 29, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Received—And Given (May 22, 2020)
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Life After Ministry
Devoted To Prayer
Cast The Word
Rudolf Steiner Audio
Conspirituality