Tangible/Intangible Grace… findings by Rhea

“My chains are gone, I’ve been set free.  My God, my Savior has ransomed me.  And like a flood His mercy rains unending love, amazing grace…” the words to the song “My Chains Are Gone” by Chris Tomlin.

Chains are real, tangible ~ chilling, heavy, and in an unbreakable form.  Chains are invisible, intangible ~ despair, sin, and unending heartbreak.  They can take many forms; in our inner selves or lived out in a way all can see, but by God’s outpouring grace we can be physically and spiritually free.

I have always liked this acrostic of GRACE:

G. (God’s)

R. (Riches)

A. (at)

C. (Christ’s)

E. (expense)

In every case when I use or even think of the word the acrostic fits, and it explains itself.  God’s precious gift of grace ~ the life, death, and the continuing eternal life of Jesus put this gift of “the goodness of God” into action.

Grace is for Christians’ taking, just as the air around us is for our breathing; to draw upon it should be just as natural.  The grace provided for the need I experienced yesterday will not cover the need I have in this moment.  Grace is a current provision; it meets the need of “now.”  By praying, I am practicing grace; by trusting, I am leaning on grace, and by faithfulness, I am growing in grace.

Salvation (received when I acknowledged my sin and need for the Savior) is the height of God’s grace, and becoming His disciple (following Him and giving up all rights to me) is second, and that calls for daily grace only He can provide.

Tangibly (obviously) and intangibly (in spiritual intimacy), He moves, touches, changes me, and on and on… As always He is the gift and the giver.

Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, the gospel, the Holy Spirit, salvation, it is all of God; it is all of grace; it is all for us. Hallelujah!

Riches of forgiveness, salvation, and mercy, peace, understanding, and love; who would not want to enjoy all the riches of a holy God who showers His grace on all who believe?  God’s amazing love intertwined with His amazing grace gave us Jesus; could we ever praise and love enough the One who became grace for us?  Let’s start with “My chains are gone, I’ve been set free.  My God, my Savior has ransomed me.  And like a flood, His mercy rains, unending love, amazing grace…

2 Corinthians 12:9 Amplified Bible (AMP):
But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completedand show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiahmay rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

 

 

 

(Originally published 7/17/2012  well worth a re-visit!)

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