God's provision for my every need

There was a time when dining at upscale restaurants mandated that men wear a suit. However, what would transpire if you were to arrive at such an establishment without the appropriate attire? Your options are as follows:  

• The restaurant may admit you without any qualms.  
• Alternatively, they might decline your entry.  
• A third possibility involves the restaurant offering you a complimentary loaner jacket, allowing you to relish your evening without infringing upon their established etiquette standards.  

This serves as an illustration of how the grace of God operates. It is an imperfect illustration, of course, but nonetheless, relevant. It may not be a flawless representation, but it remains pertinent. This portrayal vividly underscores that grace encompasses the entirety of God's expectations and provisions, what He requires and supplies, all through Christ Jesus  

Grace furnishes all that we need yet could never attain through our own endeavors. It stands as the unmerited favor of God extended towards us, a willing impoverishment of one for the undeserved enrichment of many.  As we have learned in Sunday School, grace is God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.   

In the words of author Phillip Yancey, “grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us more… and grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us less.”   

Grace is self-originating and flows from the One who had the freedom not to be gracious. The grace of God is love openly bestowed upon guilty sinners despite their unworthiness and in defiance of their wrongdoings. 

Grace even inspired one of the most egregious sinners in history to compose one of the most magnificent songs ever known.  

Therefore, we are probably safe in affirming that the most important words in the entire Bible are “By Grace!”