Romans 3:21-4:5

²¹But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets,²²the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction,²³since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;²⁴they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,²⁵whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed;²⁶it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.

What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh?  ²For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.  ³For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.”  ⁴Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due.  ⁵But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.

GRACE...it’s a gift from God!  Paul is clear...Grace is not something you earn, you work for or you demand.  It’s God’s gift to us chosen by God to give.  We aren’t called to complicate it, but to live in it.  Live in the knowledge of God’s Grace and let our lives reflect that amazing, loving gift.

We're also called to strive to live offering grace.  It's not an easy thing to do, but it is one that has the potential to change life.  Imagine those moments of frustration and anger being let go out of love and grace.  To love others this deeply and easily would lose those petty little arguments that get under our skin.  Imagine living without the energy drain of petty little things!  Even better, imagine if we could let the big things go as easily as God forgives our big mistakes.

Striving to live in Grace and out Grace.