"He has shown you, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8 NIV)
I love this verse as it is so applicable to our everyday work. However, we need time to go deep with this concept, to use it in different scenarios, and to reflect upon it. As with the exercise slogan, “if you don’t use it, you will lose it” we can take a similar approach to grace and using it in our actions, interactions and speech.
What does it mean to give grace to someone?
The Biblical definition refers to grace as "undeserved kindness." Biblical grace means showing love and compassion towards someone even though they may not appreciate it, understand what it is costing you, or plan to return the kindness. Micah 6:8 does not tell us to just do justice or love grace. We are to do both as we walk humbly with God. Our ability to grow stronger in grace is based on our understanding of God's grace towards us. When we have a fuller understanding of His unconditional love towards us, we can step away from our selfishness about a situation and move towards a graceful experience of it.
As you reflect on the approaching new year, perhaps one area to depend on God for in 2020 could be growing in justice and grace at work. Consider the following 7 Reflections on Grace as a way of taking your faith to work.
1. When you think of God’s grace, what comes to mind?
Consider Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
What thoughts do you have as you meditate on this verse and God’s grace towards you?
2. Do you 100% believe you are saved by grace or do you feel that you need to earn it?
Consider Ephesians 2:8: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
What do you think of as you consider salvation and God’s forgiveness are free gifts which you did not earn?
3. What is your understanding of showing grace to others? Does it depend on the person, how you feel, or what the situation is? God wants us to demonstrate grace to others and to become strong in this area. On a scale of 0 to 10, with “0” never showing grace to anyone and “10” being you always offering grace no matter the person or situation, how would you rate your “grace demonstration”?
4. As God has forgiven us, so we are to forgive others. As God demonstrated grace to us, so we are to show grace towards others. God wants us to grow strong in this area and not hold back.
Colossians 3:13 says: "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
As you meditate on this verse, what comes to mind?
5. Grace for someone specific: Does someone come to your mind and heart to whom you could be showing more grace? Perhaps you are trying to do this naturally? Now is the time to ask God to give you His grace for the person:
To see them through His eyes.
To remember the grace He has shown to you and the expectation that you will extend His grace to others.
6. Grace in your everyday life: On a scale of 0 to 10 at work (or at home) how would you rate yourself? “0” being “Never graceful towards anyone” and 10 is “Always extending grace to everyone..
7. This week at work and home, continually look for ways to demonstrate grace to others. Be especially careful to consider those times when something (or someone) may have disappointed or irritated you. If you historically have not been so gracious, be aware of these opportunities going forward to show grace and forgiveness. Can you think of one thing which might arise next week at work or home that you can respond to with “strong grace”? If so, write it down below and ask God to provide His supernatural grace to you.
May God richly bless you this week as you meditate on the role of grace in your life. Have a wonderful week!
Bonny, Christian Women at Work
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