How refreshing it is to be with those who live in grace! We notice it in their words, their priorities, and their interests. The world’s standards do not
dictate or even influence their goals. Their desire is to do the will of their Father in Heaven.
Jesus reveals the attitude of grace in Luke 6:30-34:
“Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them
likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.”
And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to
receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back” (NKJV).
In this passage, the word “thank” is from the Greek word that is also translated “grace”. Jesus is teaching on the attitude of those who live by His
grace.
If we do good only for those who will do the same back to us, no grace is needed. We draw upon God’s grace only when we reach beyond human ability to give,
love, and do good to others, without seeking any return from them. We look only to God for the rewards of our willingness to obey.
Jesus went on to say in verse 35, “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will
be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil” (NKJV).
When we plant seed into the lives of those who cannot repay, God will reward us Himself. But most important will be the picture of the Heavenly Father
that we reflect. He is a Giver, and we have made Him known by our giving nature.
Hebrews 10:35 says, “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward” (NKJV). When we continue to faithfully obey God and to
rely wholly on His grace, we will receive what is reserved for us. He is full of rich rewards and committed to seeing them manifested in our lives.
But notice the exhortation in Second John 8: “Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward”
(NKJV).
We risk losing the ground we have gained unless we abide in the truths we have learned. If we can retain the faith and grace we have grown into, we will
continue to receive the rewards of His promised abundance.
The same warning is found in Hebrews 12:15: “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble
you, and thereby many be defiled” (KJV). The word “fail” is to become deficient or to lack.
It requires diligence to stay sufficient in God’s grace. We must continue to enter into His presence and receive a fresh deposit of His grace so it remains
an active force within our hearts.
