For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 20:8-9
Through the years, I have known people who walk through life damaged by the early foundations of their journey. They had parents, family members, and/or significant “role models” who consistently told them through words and/or actions;
“You’re not good enough.“
As a result, many of these people consistently project (often without knowing it) this damage upon others through words and deeds. Someone close to me has an expression for this; “Hurt people hurt people.”
I am a very lucky person! And I hope you are too. I grew up in a household that did not send that message to me. Sure I had my fair share of shortcomings, and for sure my family is not perfect. But when I messed up, the message consistently delivered was,
“You’re better than this.“
Paul tells us that “42” is the latter, not the former. We are saved by grace through faith, and Paul emphasizes that this is a gift that flows from our heavenly Father.
The Greek and Hebrew words translated as “grace” clearly state that God freely extends his love, reaching out to us because his nature is to be near to us. This love is not earned; it is freely given with no strings attached as he gives us life, breath, and everything.
So when we live in a manner that defiles and disrespects this relationship with him and our fellow hitchhikers, he doesn’t tell us that are not good enough. Instead he lovingly corrects us with the divine nature that says;
You’re better than this.
Now that is GRACE!
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