Advent
December 20, 2019
Scripture Reading: Romans 1:1-7
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. –Romans 1:7b
Grace is (xáris) is preeminently used of the Lord’s favor – freely extended to give Himself away to people (because He is “always leaning toward them”)*. –From the Greek
This Greek word answers directly to the Hebrew (OT) term 2580 /Kaná (“grace, extension-toward”). Both refer to God freely extending Himself (His favor, grace), reaching (inclining) to people because He is disposed to bless (be near) them.
I love the image of God always leaning toward me, not just the fact that God is there for me but the idea that God is actively engaged in letting me know that God is near. It made me wonder what is my proper, or anyone’s for that matter, response to grace. If grace is a gift giving freely, we do not have a choice in God’s giving it, but we do have choices in what we do as a result of receiving it.
I have been exceedingly busy this holiday season and for the first time ever I sent money as gifts to my nieces and nephews. I guess I moved in that direction last year when I sent gift cards to some of them. My rationalization is that with money they can get what they really want rather than what I think they might want. I think God’s gift of grace falls in similar motivation. God created us with innate abilities that are routinely shaped by our environments and the needs of the world. I also think God created us with the idea that when we all coordinate using our gifts in positive ways, we move closer to God’s ideal kingdom. With that in mind, though, I think God takes joy in seeing all the possibilities that may result from our maturation into using God’s gift of grace.
That said, we humans are capable of squandering God’s grace, keeping God at arm’s length or only seeking God’s guidance when we are desperate or turning our backs on God altogether. The riches of God’s grace come in regular communion with God who takes joy in our joy as we open our hearts to God.
Prayer: Lord, forgive me when I make choices that are counter to all that is good and right for me as I engage with others in this world. Help me realize that my true joy is your joy and your greatest joy comes from my loving you and loving all your children. Amen.
*https://biblehub.com/greek/5485.htm
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.