Grace

Reflecting on a brother's message, I agree that there were many instances where Christians did not exhibit grace in our lives.

In particular, those who are theologically conservative or judgmental tended to be labeled as "lacking in grace". Their critics will usually grill them with "Where is the love"-ish calls for tolerance and humane treatment of their fellow men and women.

However grace is fundamentally not about political correctness, culturally sensitivity or taking a non-judgmental stance on various issues.

Some believers misunderstood grace- they felt averse towards putting grace on the pedestal, treating it as a heresy against holiness. This cannot be further from the Truth.

God's grace is the expression of His love. It is the out-flowing of His divine character. Love is the motivation, grace is the manifestation.

Beholding the grace of God, we will come to realize the truth about ourselves in light of who God is. Grace continually challenges and transforms us to know Him, submit to Him and experience Him at a deeper level.

Grace allows the persecuted to pray for their oppressors. Grace is the catalyst for reconciliation. It rebuilds broken lives, heals wounded hearts and enables one to dispense charity even to those who are shunned and hated in society.

Grace is essential for the Christian confession to the world because it is the very reason for our salvation at the outset.