Proverbs chapter 15 verse 26 (NIV)
The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight.
Colossians chapter 4 verse 6 (NLT )
Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
It was one word this morning that jumped out at me from this verse in Proverbs – the word gracious. I thought of how the word is used in our national anthem. “God save our gracious king.” Dictionary definitions of gracious include – pleasantly kind, benevolent and couteous. These definitions also seem to suggest that this characteristic is shown by someone towards someone else who may be more lowly, or to someone less worthy. That certainly applies to God being gracious to us.
Believers are called to emulate God’s graciousness in their own lives. The Apostle Paul exhorts Christians to “be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). This call to graciousness involves showing kindness, compassion, and forgiveness to others, reflecting the character of God. That’s easy to do when it’s someone that we get along with, but not so easy to do to people who don’t like us, or who want to test us.
The early Christian community was marked by acts of grace and generosity. In Acts 4:33-34, it is recorded, “With great power the apostles continued to give their testimony about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And abundant grace was upon them all. There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales.”
This passage illustrates how the grace of God manifested in the lives of believers, leading to a community characterised by selflessness and care for one another.
Pretty challenging that one word I think, but it makes me thankful for God’s gracious love and mercy towards me, even when I didn’t deserve it.
Dear Lord,
I am so grateful that You are indeed our Gracious King. I pray for the ability to extend that gracious behaviour towards others as Your ambassador. I ask in Jesus’
Name. Amen.