The True Work of Grace in Us

Flowers in Skagway, AlaskaFrom Preaching by Fred. B Craddock (p. 25):

"Grace is not an embarrassed tolerance that smiles at evil or stares at the ground before injustice. Grace is the presence of a God who sends rain upon the good and evil and who is kind even to the ungrateful and selfish. The true work of grace in us is to make us gracious also."

That means graciousness from you and me toward everyone, even those who are rude, mean, dishonest, critical, annoying, lazy, disorganized, cranky or unlovely in any way. Theoretically, it works. Try interacting with one of those people, face-to-face, and being gracious. And then you just have to shake your head in wonder at how on earth God does it.

My favorite song to listen to these days is one I found recently by Michelle Tumes, called "Outrageous Grace." Every time I listen to it, it puts a lump in my throat and lifts my soul. The lyrics go thus:

There’s a lot of pain but a lot more healing.
There’s a lot of trouble but a lot more peace.
There’s a lot of hate but a lot more loving.
There’s a lot of sin but a lot more grace.

Chorus:
Oh, outrageous grace! Oh, outrageous grace;
Love unfurled by heaven’s hand.
Oh, outrageous grace! Oh outrageous grace;
Through my Jesus I can stand.

There’s a lot of fear but a lot more freedom.
There’s a lot of darkness but a lot more light.
There’s a lot of cloud but a lot more vision.
There’s a lot of perishing but a lot more life.

Bridge:
There’s an enemy
That seeks to kill what it can’t control.
It twists and turns
Making mountains out of molehills.
But I will call on my Lord
Who is worthy of praise;
I run to Him and I am saved.