8 Life Lessons I am Learning about Extravagant Grace

Grace: the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God; the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them; a virtue or excellence of divine origin
http://www.dictionary,com

Stories of extravagant grace

Caught in the act of running away with stolen silver from an old Bishop, Jean Valjean collided head-on with astounding and scandalous grace. The elder gentlemen corroborated that he had gifted the items to the fugitive, and indeed, proffered his silver candlesticks as well.

Valjean suffered immensely in his struggle to understand this immeasurable gift from God. The remainder of Les Miserables vividly portrays his journey into a faith discovered and an extravagant grace applied to others.

The Gospel of Luke recounts the story of The Prodigal Son, a profligate young man who self-indulges himself to ruin and poverty. When returning to his senses, he goes home with the humble aspiration of being the lowest of hired hands to his father.

Instead, his dad runs to meet him and restores him to a place of honor as a celebrated son returned from the dead.

Both of these well-known tales reveal key truths about grace.

It is thoroughly undeserved kindness to one who has committed a deep betrayal
It is magnanimous, over-the-top and unprecedented for both the recipient and the onlookers
It is bestowed freely and proactively by the giver

This is certainly true of the unfathomable grace we receive from God in salvation, forgiveness of sins, and new life. I believe that we are also entrusted with grace to extend to others, just as we are endowed with all of the other characteristics of Christ.

Characteristics of extravagant grace

Here is what I have learned about grace:

True grace is costly
Grace is birthed out of my gratitude for God’s gifts to me
Grace is my act of faith, leaving consequences to God
Grace does not count the cost and is not stingy
Grace desires to bless the beneficiary and the benefactor
Grace desires the best current and future outcomes for the recipient
Grace is life-giving and freeing and may lead to repentance and change (in both parties!)
God’s grace walks hand-in-hand with wisdom and knowledge about God’s ways

Grace-acts go against human nature, which is all the more reason for seeking it from the One who does it best. The grace I receive and trust transforms me and enlarges my capacity to grace-bless others.

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16

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What does extravagant grace mean to you? How have you experienced it in your life?