Common Grace

“Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”  ~Romans 2:4 HCSB

This morning I woke up breathing.  I woke up and my house was still here.  The sun shined through my window blinds and I went into the kitchen where I have plenty of food.  I made a cup of coffee right there and didn’t have to go anywhere.  I listened to some music and read my Bible in peace.  No guns were firing outside, nobody was beating down my door.  My kids got up and ate, laughed and are ready to start the day.  They will attend a safe school, where teachers will teach.  My life is blessed and I recognize it is all because of God’s grace.  He does this for millions of people all over California.   People all over the world are shown God’s grace and most of them will not even acknowledge His existence.   

All of us have ignored God in some way.  All of us have suppressed His glory in our lives.  We have all exchanged His glory for our own glory.  We are selfish and care little about the God of the universe, who created everything and sustains all things.  Because of this God will someday judge the world.  In fact in this verse Paul is telling of God’s “common” grace that is extended to everyone and in the very next verse he reminds us this will carry consequences.  “But because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God's righteous judgment is revealed.  (Romans 2:5 HCSB)

Here is the thought Paul is presenting, God is showing incredible kindness, restraint, and patience in order for you to repent and turn to Him.  To repent is to acknowledge your sin and turn from sin and turn to God.  By confessing our sin and by trusting Jesus Christ, He removes your sin.  It is by faith alone and it is by Christ alone, who shed His blood for our sin.  So this morning you have been blessed with another day of life, another day of grace.  What will you do with it?  Will you give thanks? 

Lord help us to give you thanks for everything!  Lord I thank you for today, I thank you for your loving display of grace.  Lord help me live in such a way that recognizes that very fact and help me share You with someone today!