“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.
LOVE BEYOND OUR LIMITS (February 11, 2022)
SEEING A NEW CONSTELLATION (February 04, 2022)
GETTING PAST REGRET (January 28, 2022)
ANSWERING THE QUESTION (January 21, 2022)
FIXING WHAT’S BROKEN (January 14, 2022)
UNRESOLVED (January 07, 2022)
GENERATIONS OF GRACE (December 31, 2021)
COME ALL, COME NOW (December 24, 2021)
THE WISDOM OF GRACE (December 17, 2021)
ROOM AT THE INN (December 10, 2021)
THE SONG THAT MUST BE SUNG (December 03,2021)
SIMPLE GIFTS (November 26, 2021)
A PRESENT HELP (November 19, 2021)
LOOKING FOR SAFE (November 12, 2021)
TRUSTWORTHY NEWS (November 05, 2021)
THE MEASURE OF FORGIVENESS (October 29, 2021)
GRACE AND TRUTH (October 22, 2021)
GRACE AND SILENCE (October 15,2021)
PERSISTENT GRACE (October 08, 2021
UNSTOPPABLE (October 01, 2021)
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Hello Heaven Podcast
Devoted To Prayer
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
Rudolf Steiner Audio
Conspirituality