Grace Received

How often do we need this thing called `grace`? I can not imagine living my life without the knowledge that God's grace, is sufficient for me. But do we actually understand the Grace of God?

Rth 2:8 Then Boaz spoke to Ruth: "Listen, my daughter. From now on don't go to any other field to glean--stay right here in this one. And stay close to my young women. 9 Watch where they are harvesting and follow them. And don't worry about a thing; I've given orders to my servants not to harass you. When you get thirsty, feel free to go and drink from the water buckets that the servants have filled." 10 She dropped to her knees, then bowed her face to the ground. "How does this happen that you should pick me out and treat me so kindly--me, a foreigner?" 11 Boaz answered her, "I've heard all about you--heard about the way you treated your mother-in-law after the death of her husband, and how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth and have come to live among a bunch of total strangers. 12 GOD reward you well for what you've done--and with a generous bonus besides from GOD, to whom you've come seeking protection under his wings." 13 She said, "Oh sir, such grace, such kindness--I don't deserve it. You've touched my heart, treated me like one of your own. And I don't even belong here!" 14 At the lunch break, Boaz said to her, "Come over here; eat some bread. Dip it in the wine." So she joined the harvesters. Boaz passed the roasted grain to her. She ate her fill and even had some left over. 15 When she got up to go back to work, Boaz ordered his servants: "Let her glean where there's still plenty of grain on the ground--make it easy for her. 16 Better yet, pull some of the good stuff out and leave it for her to glean. Give her special treatment."

What an incredible description of the gospel in it's totality:

As a stranger - Ruth was accepted - Boaz looked at her and loved her. He loved her first - she did not even know him.

The `grace` that Boaz bestowed on Ruth - gave her freedom.

No longer did she have to scavenge for food.

She did not have to be on the `look-out` for servants and guards who might chase her away from the Landlord's fields. She could openly come and go, to drink fresh water, eat from the Master's fields.

John 8:31 Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. "If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. 32 Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you." 33 Surprised, they said, "But we're descendants of Abraham. We've never been slaves to anyone. How can you say, 'The truth will free you'?"

Jesus declared Himself as `the Truth`! Truth equals Grace

In Him we find freedom. Freedom from having to look for nourishment in other `fields`. The fields of strange religions and cultures and ways of doing things.

In Him we find the Well of Living water, that gives eternal refreshing. ( Joh 4:10 Jesus answered, "If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water.")

In Him we can withstand the attacks of satan and we do not have to be concerned about his `servants` who will want to bother us. ( Eph 6:11 So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.)

In Him is Grace - because He is Grace !

Grace - it is His grace that strengthens us and carries us to the next level of maturity. It is His Grace that allows us repentance. It is His Grace that waits for us, while we drag our feet on the road of growth.

We do not forgive because of law - we forgive because we have been forgiven first. We love because we are loved. We share and give because we have received.

Rev 7:9 I looked again. I saw a huge crowd, too huge to count. Everyone was there--all nations and tribes, all races and languages. And they were standing, dressed in white robes and waving palm branches, standing before the Throne and the Lamb 10 and heartily singing: Salvation to our God on his Throne! Salvation to the Lamb! 11 All who were standing around the Throne--Angels, Elders, Animals--fell on their faces before the Throne and worshiped God, 12 singing: Oh, Yes! The blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving, The honor and power and strength, To our God forever and ever and ever! Oh, Yes !

We are to worship and praise, because we received all this and because He is worthy and deserving. It all belongs with Him.