I love that Google basically defines grace as a free gift of favor, for this is what Paul had to say about it in Romans 3:20-24.
"Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
What a powerful image! And what depth of love for God to say, "I know you've done me wrong, and the only way to make it right is impossible in your own strength. But I love you so! So, I've given of myself and now freely offer you my love, my power, and my glory!" The hard part for us comes in living as though we believe this deeply within our hearts. Often we try to clean ourselves up before coming to Christ, we glue the broken pieces back together before coming to the potter... We seek redemption through the payment of religious rituals and good deeds. But God is calling out to us, longing for us to just seek Him as He already paid for our redemption out of His amazing grace! And if we truly seek Him, we are covered by His grace and changed by His love, which in turn creates a desire in us to share this grace and love with the rest of the world.
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