Thank God for this gifttoo wonderful for words!
—2 Corinthians 9:15 (NLT)
What is this gift that is just too wonderful for words—a gift so abundant that mere words can’t describe? “They will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you,” Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:14. Overflowing grace is the gift Paul tells the Corinthians they have received. It is a gift that is never stagnant, but unconsciously brims over and streams into the lives of those to whom they minister. And not only that! Overflowing grace fosters deep affection, and returns to the giver in prayer.
Has the grace of Jesus overflowed into your life? Does it overflow unconsciously from you into the lives of others or do you feel you have to work at it? Do you consciously tell yourself to extend grace, or is it as natural to you as breathing? Overflowing grace overflows because it is unconsciously rendered from a life that has been forgiven and changed beyond what man can render. Only Jesus offers forgiveness that imparts overflowing grace. It is a gift freely given. Washing away every sin that has blocked us from experiencing God’s abundant love, grace gives us the freedom to receive again and again—and give again and again.
Many have only touched His garment, and let go. Without exercising faith, they could not cling to their source of redeeming grace. His grace encountered self—that immobile dam of resistance that holds back surrender. And His grace has waited again and again, just longing to hear “Yes, Lord, take all of me.”
Grace changes everything. Nothing remains the same. Love overflows joyfully, and loves the unlovely, and forgives the unforgiven. Overflowing grace is naturally and unconsciously accountable to Jesus who has given His life to offer it. Nothing has to be reasoned or explained. It is the greatest overflowing freedom that was fueled at Pentecost, and shall burn and overflow in our lives as long as we will allow it to burn.
“Jesus, be Jesus in me. No longer me—only you. Overflow in me and break down any resistance of self that looks for the reason. Just love through me, Holy Spirit. Just love.”
© 2018 Lynn Lacher
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