Do you recall the Wendy’s television commercial where the older woman asked the question ‘Where’s the beef’? Well, I want you to consider this question for our day – Where’s the grace?
Grace defined:
1. elegance - beauty, smoothness of form or movement,
2. politeness – dignified, polite, decent behavior,
3. generosity of spirit – a capacity to tolerate, accommodate or forgive people,
4. pleasing quality – a pleasing and admirable quality or characteristic,
5. gift of God to mankind – in Christianity, the infinite love, mercy, favor and goodwill shown to humankind by God
We seem to be rapidly moving towards an era in our country where the concept of grace is disappearing from daily life. It seems that a once gracious people have been replaced with extremely self indulgent people who have an attitude – it’s ALL about me. From how we drive our vehicles, to how we act in a store or restaurant, to how we seem to be so self-focused most of the time that we don’t even acknowledge one another anymore.
I realize that I should not expect much from the world for the darkness pervades men’s souls and thrives on self absorption, but what about the church - the body of Christ? We are to be His grace dispensers, first to the body then to the lost world around us. And His grace is shown through our love – not what the world calls love but God’s love that is poured out for us and through us. Are we instruments of His grace to the body or have we bought the world’s view that self-interest is what it is all about?
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
(John 13:34-35)
…and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people…
(1 Thessalonians 3:12)
Lord, help us to be the grace and truth dispensers that You redeemed us to be, let us set aside and move beyond the selfishness of our age by the power of Your Spirit, may we focus upon You and Your love for us so that we in turn might share Your love with those around us – which is the gospel message.
May our challenge be to ask ourselves this question in our daily lives – Where’s the grace?
Grace defined:
1. elegance - beauty, smoothness of form or movement,
2. politeness – dignified, polite, decent behavior,
3. generosity of spirit – a capacity to tolerate, accommodate or forgive people,
4. pleasing quality – a pleasing and admirable quality or characteristic,
5. gift of God to mankind – in Christianity, the infinite love, mercy, favor and goodwill shown to humankind by God
We seem to be rapidly moving towards an era in our country where the concept of grace is disappearing from daily life. It seems that a once gracious people have been replaced with extremely self indulgent people who have an attitude – it’s ALL about me. From how we drive our vehicles, to how we act in a store or restaurant, to how we seem to be so self-focused most of the time that we don’t even acknowledge one another anymore.
I realize that I should not expect much from the world for the darkness pervades men’s souls and thrives on self absorption, but what about the church - the body of Christ? We are to be His grace dispensers, first to the body then to the lost world around us. And His grace is shown through our love – not what the world calls love but God’s love that is poured out for us and through us. Are we instruments of His grace to the body or have we bought the world’s view that self-interest is what it is all about?
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
(John 13:34-35)
…and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people…
(1 Thessalonians 3:12)
Lord, help us to be the grace and truth dispensers that You redeemed us to be, let us set aside and move beyond the selfishness of our age by the power of Your Spirit, may we focus upon You and Your love for us so that we in turn might share Your love with those around us – which is the gospel message.
May our challenge be to ask ourselves this question in our daily lives – Where’s the grace?
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