If you read the Bible, you often see the word grace. A quick definition is “the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.” But it’s hard to be thankful for a dictionary’s dry explanation. What does grace look like in people’s lives? The apostle Peter is a fantastic example. Brash and impetuous, Peter said and did things others wouldn’t. He was confident in himself. He boasted he would go to prison and even to death for Jesus. Yet, when an armed crowd of men arrested Jesus, Peter fled. Worse, he repeatedly denied he’d ever even heard of Jesus. Christ turned and looked Peter in the eyes on that third denial, which caused Peter to hurry away and weep bitterly (Luke 22:61-62). By God’s grace, the story doesn’t end there. After Peter’s self-confidence had been purged to the roots, the resurrected Christ returned to him, forgave him, and restored him to ministry with the words “Follow me” (John 21). What undeserved favor! The apostle Paul gives another example of grace. Also brash and zealous, Paul hated the faith of early Christians. He relished “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the Read More ...