What It Means to Receive and Give God’s Grace

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. -Hebrews 4:16

Grace. Such an unassuming word, but one with profound implications. Webster's dictionary defines grace as, “Unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification.” According to Wikipedia, grace can also be defined as “the love and mercy given to us by God, because God desires us to have it, not necessarily because of anything we have done to earn it.” Grace is a gift from God — a gift we need in our own lives, and a gift we can give to those around us who are hurting, or made a mistake, or just plain need compassion.

Grace is a gift from God — a gift we need in our own lives, and a gift we can give to those around us who are hurting, or made a mistake, or just plain need compassion.

Grace has also been defined as, “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” That great expense was the death of God’s son Jesus, on a cruel cross, as atonement for the sins of the world. We are saved because of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Believing that truth and accepting that death as payment for our own sins gives us access to all the rights and privileges of a child of a King — abundant life on earth and eternal life in heaven. I Peter 1: 3-4 describes it like this, “Praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.”

In a recent service at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, guest speaker Alan Platt shared, “We are at the receiving end of God’s blessings, so that through our lives, others can be blessed.” When we recognize God’s grace and blessings in our own lives, it releases us to show grace and mercy to others because of all He has done for us.

When we recognize God’s grace and blessings in our own lives, it releases us to show grace and mercy to others because of all He has done for us.

Our teachers have shown grace in the face of many changes to normal school routines, and in the challenge of quickly learning new technology in order to serve their online students and families well. Our parents have shown grace to our teachers as they dove in, learning how to use brand new camera technology with little time to practice. You have also shown grace for the new and different procedures we’ve had to implement to keep our students safe as they return to the classroom. Our children needed a lot of grace while they were home 24/7 for five months. We all need grace when we blow it in one way or another, and we all will, because we’re human.

We all need grace when we blow it in one way or another, and we all will, because we’re human.

A good friend recently gave me a plaque that says simply, “Grace Upon Grace.” It serves as a daily reminder that I always (but especially in challenging times of frustration or disappointment) need to show grace to my family, my co-workers, my South Florida community, and even myself, during those times I can’t live up to my own or others’ expectations.

We’ve all needed grace in 2020, and we’ve shown a lot of grace to others, especially our children, in this crazy season. But the grace we give to others is nothing compared to the grace and blessings that are ours as a child of God. He loves to bless His children, and as we receive those blessings with thanksgiving, we are free to pass them on to those around us who need it the most.

Parents — thank you for your grace toward us as we navigate uncertain times right now and do our best to continue to give your child(ren) the best education possible in the midst of this pandemic. We appreciate your support and trust in what we’re called to do here at CCA. We look forward to what’s ahead!

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9



Jan Lashbrook is the Early Childhood Program Director at Calvary Christian Academy. She and her husband are “empty-nesters,” having raised three children who are all grown and married. Their youngest attended CCA for 12 years, graduating in 2012.