What Does Grace Look Like?
by Ron Browning
Well we must first define grace. Many have called grace unmerited favor... some have said God's Riches at Christ Expense... others use words like undeserved blessings or special favor. All of these are true but they really don't mean anything to us specifically. We can't seem to use them. These words don't seem tangible. Most see grace as a magic pill. God just waves His wand and we get a miracle. Many confuse grace and mercy but they are different. Mercy is when God does NOT give us what we deserve. Like death and hell! Grace is what God gives us that we could never earn or ever accomplish on our own.
I like this definition:
God will do for me what I can not do for myself.
God will make my change when change is beyond my power.
God will heal my heart when I'm broken and torn apart.
God will do for me what I can not do for myself.
So now that we have defined grace, let's answer the question. What does grace look like?
He is the Powerful when I am the powerless.
He is the Mighty when I am the weak.
He is the Faithful when I am the failure.
He is my HOPE when I become meek.
Grace is not some magic pill or potion. Grace is an act of God that changes our lives; sometimes instantly but most often over time. Grace is God's favor that deepens in our lives as we spend time with Him and learn how to live out of His resources.
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What does grace look like? Let me share an example. Did you know that faith is a grace of God? That's right faith is a gift from God that has enabled you to see beyond yourself and look upon Christ and trust Him to get you to heaven, to forgive your sins, and to set you free from pornography, masturbation, and homosexuality... including same sex attractions.
How do we get faith? Yes it is a gift from God. But how do we receive it? How can we experience faith and deepen our trust in God. The Bible gives us the answer in Romans 10:17... Read with me:
Romans 10 KJV
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Wow! It is simple. If I want faith... if I want to deepen my ability to see Christ and trust Him I must pay attention to His WORD!!! God gives faith as we learn the Word!
Faith is a grace; a gift of God. But it is experienced in our lives as we use the means God has provided to receive it -- paying attention to the WORD. Grace always has a means; a vehicle to get us where we are going. An action!
Look at what happens if we don't pay close attention. Read with me from Hebrews:
Hebrews 2 NLT
1So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.
You see if we ignore the Word we drift but if we pay attention we receive God's gift of faith!
Now in the same way that faith is a gift from God so is freedom from sexual sins!!!
How do we receive it? Get access to it? Experience God's freedom from sin habits or what I like to call "flesh fits"? Masturbation is a "flesh fit". How do we get in tune to God and live our lives out of His gift of freedom? There are 7 truths that we should look at. These 7 truths are how we experience pure freedom. These 7 truths are how God has chosen to set us free and keep us free. These 7 truths are the means that God has chosen to grant you and I freedom from sexual sin, including same sex attractions.
What does grace look like?
· Radical Amputation of all avenues that lead to sin (Matthew 5:29-30)
· Radical Appropriation of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as in Romans 6 and Gal. 2:20... exchanging your life for Christ's life...
· Radical Accountability to two or more daily accountability partners (local) (Eccl. 4:9-12)
· Constant Attachment to Jesus (Abiding, John 15:4-5)
· Passionate Adoration of Jesus (Exodus 20:3)
· Accurate Affirmation of who I am in Christ (I Peter 4:12)
· Compelling Articulation of Truth and Personal Testimony (Rev. 12:11 & Psalm 35:27)
When you live your life out of these truths you discover Gods strength and empowerment to live free from habitual sin. Even masturbation and same sex attractions. You will not be afraid of falling because you will be growing in God's grace. These truths are not LAWS but they are about and open up RELATIONSHIP – a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus!!! It really is all about getting rid of YOU that Jesus might live His LIFE in, through, and for you.
Remember the Scripture:
2 Peter 3
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
May God bless these words and open your eyes to see and your ears to hear His truth. May you grow in His marvelous grace. May our Great God keep you and I both from falling, presenting us both to His glorious and wonderful Presence, without blame but completely innocent of sin, and with great JOY!!! In Jesus Name... Amen | 
