I envisage a world whereby the actions of man are not governed by his own eagerness to impress himself, others or even the Almighty. This would be a world of giving. An endearing environment unspoiled by the bitter actions of egotistical individuals. More importantly, it will be a world where we are loved for our imperfections and applauded for our resolve in the honest reconciliation of these flaws. Indeed, this worlds very perfection is the acknowledgement of our imperfections. I once read that we only truly receive God's grace when we are humbled by our shortcomings. Within my perfect world, our imperfections are made known and we embrace each other in this common bond. The act of giving something that means everything to you and little to the receiver results in grace. Thus making your weaknesses known may be meaningless to another but it is the most gracious and powerful act you can do as an individual. We cannot make God love us more but we can live graciously in his love and not burden ourselves with trivial condemnation. I accept God's grace by denouncing my sins to the world and expecting little applaud but the knowledge that I am living righteously. Righteous living does not require legalism or dogma. It is simply the acceptance of God's love and acting graciously in accordance with the will of Jesus Christ. You do not need shun a secular lifestyle nor separate yourself from individuals with alternate beliefs. You will become much like a lighthouse is to a harbor and through gracious action, you will liberate those whom are lost and provide a safe haven for those whom choose to follow.
May grace (God's favor) and peace (which is perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity, and freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in [the full, personal, precise, and correct] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1: 2
Grace (favor and spiritual blessing) be to you and [heart] peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1: 3
"Grace tells us that we are accepted just as we are. We may not be the kind of people we want to be, we may be a long way from our goals, we may have more failures than achievements…but we are nonetheless accepted by God, held in his hands. Such is his promise to us in Jesus Christ, a promise we can trust." —Donald McCullough
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