Grace — Giving More Than Enough

As I was praying the other day, I thanked God, as I often do, for His grace…His amazingly wonderful grace.

God graciously answers prayer after prayer for me…generously, too.  For one, He has amazingly provided for my family since I lost my job.  He’s not only kept us fed and our bills paid…grace…but He has even enabled us to take a vacation…more-than-enough grace.

But even better than that, God also reveals His grace…His more-than-enough grace…in His forgiveness of my sins.  He doesn’t just forgive, which is great.  But He goes further and also forgets!  My sins are forgotten…as if I’d never committed them!  How wonderful is that?!

This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my full affiliate disclosure here.

And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.  Hebrews 10:17

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.  Psalm 103:12

I don’t know about you, but I have sins I really wouldn’t want to have to see again.  Or, have others see.

Then, as I was praying, I got to thinking about grace and mercy.  If all God ever gave me was mercy—saved from hell—I’d be oh, so thankful!

God’s mercy is His “enough.”

But God gives way more than enough.  Way more than mercy. 

He gives us grace…heaven besides!

Not only do I, as a believer in Jesus Christ, get to escape the eternal torment of hell, but I also receive all that God is preparing for me to enjoy in His presence for all eternity!

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  1 Corinthians 2:9

Far from giving just enough, God gives freely all things.

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32

What amazing grace that God would give so much…His Son.  And so freely…His blessings here and in heaven.  To a wretched sinner such as I!

And He offers that grace to all who will believe on His Son Jesus!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

In our reading this week, Joseph demonstrates grace with his brothers.  I am ever amazed at Joseph’s ability to forgive his brothers.  And not only forgive them, but completely forgive them.

It would have been gracious of Joseph to forgive his brothers by saying, “It’s OK.  I forgive you.”  And then going on to live his life.

 

But Joseph gives more-than-enough grace by:

• Providing for them.

  He even goes beyond in doing that, by giving them changes of raiment. When Pharaoh tells Joseph to give them all they’d need for their journey to Canaan and back to Egypt, he never mentions raiment. Yet Joseph wanted to give them more than enough.

 And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way. To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.  Genesis 45:21-22

 

• Comforting them…

  and telling them not to keep blaming themselves. He tells them basically to forgive themselves. He had forgiven them, and God had a purpose in it all.

Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.  Genesis 45:5

 

• Showing love for them…

  treating them better than they had ever treated him. Treating them as if they’d never mistreated him so grievously. Forgiving completely.

Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.  Genesis 45:15

 

How gracious am I?

As I thought more about God’s grace and how gracious Joseph was, I had to ask myself, “How gracious am I toward God?  Toward others?”  Do I give just enough?  The bare minimum?

God gives freely, generously, more than enough.  He’s never stingy.

In light of God’s grace, I wonder, “How stingy would God say that I am?”

How about you?  Are you stingy with your forgiveness of others?  Do you hold a grudge?  Or do you forgive and forget?

How about with God?  Is there something in your life you haven’t been able to accept and “forgive” God for?  Are you holding a grudge against God?  Withholding from Him a part of your love and trust?

If you will let it, God’s more-than-enough grace will allow you not only to accept that heartbreaking circumstance.  But go beyond to actually embrace it, by trusting God’s all-knowing wisdom and love in allowing it.

Jesus gave all of Himself for you on the cross.  And He gives all of Himself to you in the abiding presence of His Spirit. Have you given Him all of you?

I know that I can never repay my Saviour for all that His grace means for me.  But I can love Him and serve Him in thankfulness for it.  And be gracious with others.

Father, help us not be stingy with our love and forgiveness.  But rather be as gracious as You are to us.  And give more than just enough. 

 

Drawing nigh to Him,

Teresa

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT

Is there someone in your life that you have a hard time forgiving completely?  What are some ways that you go beyond in order to show God your love for Him and others?

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE…

The Simplicity of the Gospel

3 Reasons Good Works Won’t Get You Into Heaven

How To Respond Well When Falsely Accused

At the Judgment — Part 1

Sharing is caring!