Christian Grace: 5 Ways To Extend It To Others

I have no hope without Christian grace. It is just that simple. My works and deeds can never be enough to warrant the favor of God.

What is Christian grace though? We sing about it at church a lot. Do we really understand how big it is?

Christian grace is the unmerited favor of God. I did not deserve a savior that died for my sins. There is no way I am worthy of a high priest that still intercedes on my behalf in Heaven today. Jesus gave himself as a perfect sacrifice when I could not. Grace like this is more than I can comprehend.

Now my duty is to spread that grace to others. I am ashamed to tell you this but I fall short on that responsibility. Maybe it’s selfishness or laziness but I know I must show more grace to others. While there are many ways to show Christian grace to others, I have chosen five Biblical ways to get started.

1. Christian Grace Is Best Shown Through Forgiveness

If you are a Christian, through faith and repentance, your sins have been forgiven. Imagine for a moment that was not the case. You would have no right to come before God at all. Hell would be your punishment, as well as mine.

The fact that the Son of God left Heaven and came to this Earth to make a way for you and I to come before the throne of God is an amazing thing to consider. If you are like me you know that you have committed many sins. Oh friend, where would we be without forgiveness?

Knowing that we were forgiven when we really didn’t have to be, how can we not show forgiveness to others. There is nothing that can tear at the peace in a church more than members with unforgiving hearts. That kind of hard heart can also destroy your testimony to a lost world. Harboring hard feelings toward others that should be let go of can make your life very bitter and unproductive in your Christian walk. Forgive others of their faults against you and move on!

Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

2. Practice Kindness To Offer Christian Grace

Kindness should come naturally to a Christian. There is a desire, when I am in a right relationship with God, to be kind to everyone I meet. This is not to gain anything, I just want to treat people right.

There is a serious lack of kindness in the world today. It breaks my heart to see how mean people have become. If you and I are not careful, this flesh will decide that we should reciprocate the harshness others show us by being cruel to them. That is not what Jesus did, and certainly he does not want us to either.

A warm smile or a cheerful word can go a long way, especially in a world that seems to get colder every day. I have noticed lately that people are almost shocked if I treat them friendly. We cannot spread the good news of Jesus Christ with a scowl on our face. People can get that anywhere. Try to treat people with a little kindness today and then they can see the grace of God in your life.

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

3. You Are Called To Be Compassionate

Compassion for others gets down in your heart. It is a feeling down in your soul that says you understand and feel for others in distress. Christ had compassion for all of humanity. Christian grace can’t help but be extended when we get our heart in that place.

Jesus not only called us to be compassionate, he warned us of consequences if we are not. I cannot expect a holy God to have compassion for me if I cannot extend that same grace to others.

Christianity is not supposed to be a self-serving way. When I cannot feel empathy for my fellow humans then I must assume that something is wrong in my own heart. Selfishness is something that we all must deal with because we cannot please God with a heart like that. Compassion is necessary for a Christian to have, and it is a wonderful expression of the grace that we have received from Christ.

Matthew 18:33  Shouldest not thou also have compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

4. Help The Poor To Show Christian Grace

I have never been without food or shelter in my life. This is a blessing from God. There is a tendency to forget how blessed I am because I have never been hungry. Shame on me for that!

So many in this world need help. This has always been the case. Shouldn’t Christians be the first ones lining up to help the needy? If I am just a pilgrim here, heading to a Heavenly home, then why would I not help those who need it? Money itself is not evil but if I love it so much that I do not help others with it then my heart is in the wrong place.

Paul encouraged the church in Corinth to give freely to the poor. He explained to them that it would not only feed these people but would cause thanksgiving to God from everyone. This is all about God’s glory in the end.

Nothing that you or I have in this life will make it past the grave. Only the saving grace of God is required for entrance into Heaven. God supplies all of our needs in this life. He wants us to help others and show His grace through our giving hearts.

2 Corinthians 9:13  Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men.

5. Speak With Grace Toward Others

How we talk to each other matters. The tongue can cause more problems than any other member of our body. Be careful what you say to people. Also, consider how you say it.

It is a good practice to think before you speak. A little pause before you reply to someone may help you consider how your testimony will be affected. Being slow to speak might help you gain a soul for Christ.

These days it seems like everyone is quick to tell you what they think. Words are put in the air without any regard for how they might damage the other person.

Show a little grace when talking to others. If you are a Christian and a church member you represent more than just yourself. You are a disciple of Christ and a representative of the Gospel. Don’t let your tongue hinder the spreading of the good news of Jesus Christ.

Colossians 4:6  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

The fields are white for the harvest. I believe that Christ could return any moment to take His bride home. Grace is the only way I will have a part in that wonderful day. We must show the world that grace in every way we can.

Christian grace is the greatest advertisement for the church today. The world is cold and lonely. People need something bigger than what they have in this life. They need hope. Jesus is the hope of the world and grace is how he gives it. I want to encourage you to share the grace that Christ has given you to a lost world today!