One of the characteristic of God is his graciousness. I like that that! The word “Grace” makes me feel good. There is no condemnation in a word like “Grace”. It rather speaks of goodness and blessings. It relaxes me. I had a mother who was full of grace and that always gave me a feeling of security.

This grace needs to be evident in our churches. Feelings of comfort and acceptance soothe us in our worship of God. I squirm when legalism is present. When God’s grace lacks I want to withdraw. When jealousy, competition, selfishness or the attitude of “my way of the highway” seeps in, I struggle.

I have met pastors who need to grow in grace. Instead of behaving as if they know everything, having a “chip on their shoulder” or just being untouchable, they would do much better in showering in the humility of God’s Grace. People lacking grace many times look down on people. When we are in God’s Grace you don’t have to pretend. You are accepted as you are.

As believers in Jesus Christ we have experienced the Grace of God in a very special way. As authentic Christians we have personally experienced God’s goodness when receiving His Son, Jesus Christ as Savior. Remember that it was by grace that we have been saved (Ephesians 2:8, 9). God’s Grace has already invaded the Christian. In no way did we deserve salvation, since we, in the past, turned our backs to God in disobedience. Now, as believers in Jesus we are free from the condemnation of judgment, fear of death. We are allowed to live a life honoring the Lord. Yes, God’s Grace changes lives!

I crave for this atmosphere of grace in my witnessing of God’s love. Freedom and acceptance must be a characteristic of my every day’s activities. Looking down on other misrepresents God’s Goodness.  It honors God when we smile.  Singing with gusto in church brings happiness. An atmosphere where personalities of the pew sitters is accepted and appreciated brings feelings of freedom. It is in grace that God Spirit can freely work.

There must also be expressions of grace from the pulpit. Too many church pulpits have an environment of sophistication and a fear of offending those who listen. It seems as if some pastors are scared to preach a simple Gospel message filled with grace. The pulpit has become a seat of philosophical and pure human decrees that ”flies right above heads” while the poor pew sitters are yearning for a personal life-saving message from God. Fear of perfection stifles the Spirit of God. Worship becomes too informal and God is not allowed to ouch hearts. When we let the attitudes and politics of the world enter our worship God’s Holy Spirit “takes a hike” and leaves. Political correctness has no place among preachers. Is essential that we create an atmosphere of generosity in church!

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, then it is by God’s Grace that you have been received into God’s Family. God gave you the freedom to believe in Jesus Christ and now you have to live out that new graceful life day by day! Live out God’s Grace in church as well as in your community.