Grace to Grace

From Grace to Grace: Reflecting God’s Mercy to a Broken World

Have you ever felt like you’ve messed up so badly that God couldn’t possibly forgive you? Or perhaps you’ve looked at others and thought they were beyond redemption? The story of Jonah teaches us a powerful lesson about God’s grace and how it should transform our hearts towards others.

God’s Unfailing Grace

In the depths of his failure, Jonah found himself in the belly of a fish. Yet even there, he discovered a profound truth about God’s character. Pastor Glass explains:

“Then Jonah prayed to the Lord, his God. Who is this God that he’s praying to? The word Lord there is really his proper name, Jehovah or Yahweh. It means I am. So this God who you turned your back on, who you failed… he will listen. He is a good father. He is patient. He is kind. He’s long suffering to us.”

God’s grace is constant and faithful, even when we are not. No matter how far we’ve strayed or how deeply we’ve fallen, we can always turn to Him. As Hebrews 4:16 reminds us, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Restoration Through Remembrance

Jonah’s transformation began with a simple yet profound act: remembering who God is. Pastor Glass highlights this pivotal moment:

“When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord. That’s it. He needed to remember who God was. Yes, it was important that he remembered who he was. But you’ll never know who you are correctly unless you understand who God is correctly.”

When we find ourselves in impossible situations, the key to restoration is turning our focus back to God’s character and promises. This shift in perspective allows us to see our circumstances through the lens of His grace and power.

From Recipients to Reflectors of Grace

As Jonah experienced God’s restoration, his heart began to change. He moved from rebellion to thanksgiving, from running away to embracing his calling. Pastor Glass notes:

“But I, with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you… What I have vowed I will pay. We don’t know what Jonah vowed. It never says, but obviously he must have vowed and said, God, I will do what you want me to do in some way, shape or form. His heart had been changed.”

When we truly grasp the magnitude of God’s grace in our lives, it should naturally overflow to others. We become reflectors of His mercy, offering the same forgiveness and compassion we’ve received.

Practical Application: Reflecting Grace in a Broken World

1. Remember God’s grace daily: Take time each day to reflect on specific ways God has shown you grace. This practice will keep your heart soft and grateful.
2. See others through God’s eyes: When tempted to judge or condemn, remember that every person is created in God’s image and loved by Him. Ask God to help you see them as He does.
3. Share your story: Look for opportunities to tell others about how God’s grace has transformed your life. Your testimony can be a powerful tool for reflecting His mercy.
4. Offer grace in difficult relationships: Identify one challenging relationship in your life. How can you extend grace to that person this week, even if they don’t “deserve” it?
5. Pray for the lost: Develop a habit of praying for those who don’t know Christ. Ask God to give you His heart of compassion for them.

Pastor Glass concludes with this challenge:

“May we not condemn with the gospel, but may we share it as a gift… May we be a church that has not left our first love, but may we love you because you first loved us, and then may we in return reflect that love to those you love.”

As we continually experience God’s grace, may we become powerful reflectors of that same grace to a world desperately in need of His love and mercy.