Incomparable Riches +

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
Ephesians 2:4-8 NIV

I’ve been thinking lately about the grace of God. How do we measure grace? Should we at least try to measure it? Personally, I think we should. We need to know what it means to our eternal lives and we need to realize that although it was freely given, it was not free. 

One of my favorite songs for all time is Alabaster Box. It tells of Mary Magdelene and the alabaster box of costly oil that she poured out on the feet of Jesus (John 12). My favorite passage in the song is toward the end – You don’t know the cost of the oil – you don’t know the cost of my praise… She was a woman who understood God's grace. 

I really have no idea what God’s grace covers in your life and you have no idea what God’s grace covers in mine. I know a lot of people – myself, included – who tend to struggle with receiving something they think they haven’t earned in some way, whether it’s love or a gift…or grace. And there’s the rub. We can’t earn any of those things. These are the things in life that are priceless. There's no way to put a dollar value of any kind on them.

I am all too aware of what grace has covered in my life and when I think of a pure and holy Christ giving His life for mine, I am overwhelmed. I know the cost of grace for me – His life for mine on the Cross at Calvary. Something only God and I know the real value of when it comes to my life. Something only God and you know the real value of when it comes to your life.

Oh, the incomparable riches of His grace.

Prayer:

Father,
         Help us to live for You as though we are worthy of the value You have placed on our lives. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen