One way unconditional love...

How do you define grace?

I've heard it defined as "unmerited favor" by some. It sounds good, something we all need.

Recently though I've heard it defined as "one way unconditional love".

After hearing this new definition, "unmerited favor" sounds so insignificant; like when I hold the door open for a stranger...more of a courtesy.

But "one way unconditional love" sounds like so much more, doesn't it? 

I can show unmerited favor, by holding a door open for a stranger, by giving a few dollars to a homeless person on the street. But can I show them "one way unconditional love"?

The same "one way unconditional love" that Jesus has given to me...to all of us.

Grace is one of the most important tools in the Christian's tool box, one of the most powerful, dangerous and scandalous tools. Grace can change a life immediately and completely...for the better when applied correctly, for the worse when not applied at all.

One way unconditional love has no "but's", no conditions...but we constantly set conditions...don't we? In a world where justice reigns supreme, grace defined as one way unconditional love is so much harder than unmerited favor.

Where are you setting conditions on your love, or on your grace towards others? Who are you merely showing unmerited favor and withholding true one way unconditional love?

Romans 3:23-24 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Lord today we pray that you would search our hearts and reveal to us where we are putting conditions on grace. Help us Lord to understand grace as You define it, help us to apply it as You apply it. In Jesus name, Amen.