Grace
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
I recently heard grace described as wiping the slate clean. I love that. When Jesus died on the cross for my sins, it was the ultimate display of grace!
I picture Him wiping my slate clean. I didn’t earn it. I certainly didn’t deserve it. He simply wiped my slate clean. No questions asked. No strings attached. And because of God’s grace, His unmerited favor, my sins are forgiven! And yours are too!
I can’t help but think of the story of Joseph. His very own brothers SOLD him into slavery! And I mean YEARS of slavery! Can you imagine your own flesh and blood selling you as a slave? Thankfully, the story doesn’t end there.
Joseph eventually became second in command of Egypt. They were experiencing a great famine in the land, so people were coming from near and far to ask for food from the king. When Joseph’s brothers arrived at the palace begging for food for their families, Joseph had a choice.
With his power and position, he could have given them what they deserved. He could have had them thrown in prison! He could have even had them killed! But he chose to extend them GRACE. No questions asked. No strings attached. Just like Jesus did for us. Joseph’s brothers certainly didn’t deserve to be given food any more than you or I deserve to have our sins forgiven. But that’s the beauty of grace, isn’t it? It’s not deserved! It’s a gift!
Has someone wronged you? Hurt you? Gossiped about you? Judged you? Is there anyone in your life that doesn’t deserve to have their slate wiped clean? Appease me for just a minute here.
Find a chalkboard and write their name on it. Then I encourage you to talk to the Lord and ask Him to help you extend them grace. It won’t be easy. And you might not be able to do it right away. But I want you to take an eraser and wipe their slate clean! Isn’t that what Jesus did for you?