The Truth About Grace

MJ wanted to wear his superhero outfit.

As much as I tried to explain to him that this birthday party wasn’t a superhero party, he just didn’t understand. He was furious and I was the bad daddy.

But my four-year-old son’s reply showed his true feelings:

“Daddy, if you love me, you’ll let me do what I want to do.”

His words captured the depth of what he was feeling in that moment.

Moreover, his words echoed my own when I talk with God.

God, if you love me, you’ll let me do what I want to do.

Understanding Grace

There are many things that I barter with God about. And when those things don’t go my way, a spiritual firestorm begins—disappointment followed closely by anger and doubt.

Whether it’s closing a big deal at work, booking another speaking engagement, or having my book picked up by Oprah, I often put God in a position to answer my demands.

In those moments, I don’t want God, I want to be God.

And with this mindset, I believe that God loves me when things go my way. As time wears on, and as disappointment prevails, I become desensitized to His love altogether.

I’m learning that grace isn’t my unending demands answered by a genie-god, grace is humbling myself under His authority. When I present my requests before Him and trust that His plans are better than my own.

It is in humility where we truly understand grace.

It is in humility where we truly understand grace. via @matthamsr Click To Tweet

Humility allows us to see how much God has really done for us, and that’s where a change begins to take place.

When we understand grace, we begin to give it more freely. Rather than withhold grace from those who wrong us or those who make mistakes, we begin to open our palms.

When loosen the grip of justice and unforgiveness, we find freedom.

That is what grace does, it brings freedom—a freedom that responds in love.

So today, remember that grace is waiting, but it takes our humility to receive it.

MH

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About the Author

headshot-footerMatt Ham is primarily a husband and father to three boys. As an author and speaker, he is dedicated to guiding others toward living a rich life. Through his RICH Principles he helps folks uncover fullness, identifying real treasure and discovering true joy and contentment in both their professional and personal lives.

His first book, Redefine Rich, is a journey of uncovering a deeper, more fulfilling life by shifting your perspective. It is available in both Kindle and paperback on Amazon: here

You can order a limited hardback version of the book at www.redefinerich.com

To contact Matt or inquire about his speaking schedule, visit www.mattham.com/speaking

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2 Responses to The Truth About Grace

  1. Anne Peterson May 17, 2015 at 8:05 am #

    I liked this post and it made me think for a second what triggers other times God hasn’t answered prayers the way I want them answered. And I think what I came up with is unforgiveness. When God says no, do we delve deeper into God’s sovereignty about who He is, the fact that He is infinite, we are not? Or do I somehow store that no in a closet of my mind and when the third no comes let them all parade out and torment me. We can’t be disappointed if we have not created an expectation. And I recently heard a speaker say, to think God is late is arrogance. To question his hand at all is also arrogance. So often I would have a talk with God about how things could go down. He’s had SO much patience with me. So much. Thanks Matt for the post.

  2. Jon Stallings May 18, 2015 at 1:37 pm #

    “We want to play God” = “When you eat the fruit you will not surely die, but you will be like God.” – so we are like God trying to rule ourselves but life is found we surrender it all to him.