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15 Characteristics of a Person of Grace

Today, I have a guest post from my friend, Kathy Howard.  I know she is a person of grace because I have stayed at her home, spoken for her church, and when I have needed it most, she has lavished grace over me. I highly recommend her new book “Lavish Grace“, especially if you want to lavish in God’s grace and become a woman of grace. Read to see which areas of grace might be where you want God to grow you this coming school year (Mine is #12).

Here’s Kathy:pam and kathy howard

Would you describe yourself as a channel or a pool of grace? A “channel” shares the grace with others that God has lavished on them. A “pool” hoards all God’s grace for herself, failing to pass along His undeserved loving kindness.

Anytime we find ourselves more “pool” than “channel,” it’s time to reflect again on God’s underserved grace in our own lives. In his book Putting a Face on Grace, Dr. Richard Blackaby writes that when we truly grasp its depth we would not dare withhold it from others. “We are not called to just bathe in grace; we are called to shower it upon others. Grace has not been fully experienced until it is fully expressed to others. The deeper our understanding of grace, the more we see the necessity of making it the fabric of our Christian life.”

[tweetthis]Grace has not been fully experienced until it is fully expressed to others- Dr Richard Blackaby[/tweetthis]

Everything we have, everything we are, and everything we will be depends solely on God’s lavish grace working in our lives. When that truth sinks into our hearts and minds, we will live our life as a grateful response to the grace God so generously pours out on us.

Yet sometimes I forget. Often, I am that stagnant pool, hoarding God’s grace like a selfish child. But God calls me to be channel of His grace, not a pool. As someone who receives His constant supply of glorious grace, I should willingly share it with everyone around me.

What about you? Are you a channel or a pool? Use the following characteristics to evaluate whether your words and actions reflect God’s grace to others:

1. Doesn’t insist on being right, but seeks to make things right

2. Willing to be inconvenienced

3. Seeks the welfare of the other personLavishGrace-683x1024 kathy howard

4. Speaks words that build up, not tear down

5. Doesn’t demand to be heard, but strives to listen

6. Focuses on others needs instead of our own

7. Acts with humility, not pride

8. Doesn’t keep score

9. Looks for ways to help and encourage others

10. Freely forgives

11. Seeks to understand

12. Doesn’t expect a return

13. Focuses on the important over the urgent

14. Doesn’t pick and choose whom to show grace

15. Doesn’t overlook sin, but encourages holiness

Seem overwhelming? Remember, God has given us everything we need to live a life that pleases Him (2 Peter 1:3).

[tweetthis]In those moments when it’s hard to show grace to someone else, ask God to help. And remember we did not deserve His grace either.- Kathy Howard, Lavish Grace[/tweetthis]

When do you find it most hard to show grace? What are some things that help you show grace to others?

This post is adapted from Kathy Howard’s new Bible study Lavish Grace: Poured Out, Poured Through, and Overflowing. Lavish Grace is a 9-week journey with the apostle Paul that helps readers discover God’s abundant grace for their daily lives and relationships. You can find out more about Kathy, her speaking and writing, and find free resources at www.KathyHoward.org.

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