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Aug 06, 2024 06:00am

Grace in Action

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The carnival was in town and the kids had all decided to use their money they had been saving to go. They were most excited about the cotton candy they would all get to share.

Crunch.

John Boy looked down and there were grandma’s glasses. Broken. Shattered on the floor beyond repair. She had sat them down too close to the edge of the stove and when John Boy walked by, he bumped the stove, they fell and then he stepped on them.

After seeing how great the need was, the kids all came together and decided to use the money for what was really important – grandma’s glasses. They could have chosen to take their share and go to the carnival, but they were unified in this decision.

Acts 4:32-36
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.
33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all
34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales
35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”),
37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.”

Unified, in heart, mind, and spirit. The people of the early church recognized the needs within their group and together made the decision to make sure no man was without. They saw the truth beyond their social status and finances. Some had money, some were hungry, but all of them were the same spiritually. They were all followers of Jesus, brothers and sisters in Christ. They were all sinners forgiven by grace.

Grace.

Undeserved favor. Something that cannot be earned. My concordance describes it as kindness and goodwill – “of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues.”

They were all filled and ruled by grace. Knowing they had received something they didn’t deserve and had a desire to share with others. They didn’t stockpile it back for an emergency fund. They didn’t fill their pockets while many struggled. They met the needs of the people – all of them.

What a beautiful picture of Christ’s church. Ruled by grace.

Are we?

You’ve probably heard it said 100 times that the church isn’t a building, it’s the people. How are we using the blessings God gave us? Are we allowing grace to rule our hearts and give as the Lord leads? There are lots of alternative questions I could ask here, but you already know them. I think we can all agree that we have some improvements to make.

How can you show grace in giving this week? As followers of Christ, it should be part of who we are. Want to know more about what it means to follow Christ? Go to follow.Lifeword.org.