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Caring Christians sharing God's message of GRACE.

What does it mean to be caring Christians sharing God's message of grace?

We focus on the last word, "grace."
It should be the last word, after all. God has made it the last word by raising Jesus from the dead. In Luke 24:46 ff., fresh from the grave, Jesus says: "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem." The message we share is the same message that has been shared by believers since Jesus was raised. It is a message of grace. By God's design and action, our sin is not held against us. We are placed in a right relationship with God through the gift of Christ's self-sacrifice.

At the February meeting of the Leadership Team, members gave their own definitions of the word "grace." They saw it as forgiveness; a blessing from on high; an undeserved/unmerited gift from God; thankfulness; kindness to others.

Grace is God's message to all the inhabitants of the earth. Our task is to "embrace the grace", and to speak passionately of it to others, that they too may know the riches of life in the resurrected Lord. That comes more and more easily as we reflect on our own life experiences. How have you been on the receiving end of God's unmerited favor in your own experience? When have you felt most thankful in your life? Has there been a moment of grace in your life today?

A graceful athlete makes the game look easy. A graceful dancer makes the movement seem simple. Of course, they look graceful because they are well practiced. The more practice we have in recognizing God's superfluous activity in our lives, the more graceful we will be in our relationships with others.

Of course, some relationships are more complicated than others. How do we respond in grace to the family member who has willfully harmed us? How do we show grace to the business partner who has severely damaged our reputation? Certainly we have our challenges! Yet the one who has called us and claimed us in the waters of baptism, will bless us with unwavering support as we seek to extend that very same kindness to others, even (and especially) when they do not deserve it.