It took time learning how to ride a bike. We needed to discover the right combination of balance and speed to keep ourselves and our bicycle upright. But once discovered, we never forgot. "It is just like riding a bicycle" we might quip to someone when referring to something once learned that is not easily forgotten.

Coming to terms with understanding God's grace is much like learning to ride a bicycle for the first time. Once we get it, though, we will never forget it. But getting there is sometimes a difficult process. Instead of finding the right combination of balance and speed, we need to reach a healthy understanding of God's patience and love for us-that He is truly for us and not against us.

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead

he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to

repentance." 2Peter 3:9

In trying to understand God's way, we often try to see God through our own worldly point of view which doesn't work out to well. Our world is based mostly on conditionality-that which is imposing, containing, subject to, or depending on a condition or conditions; not absolute; made or allowed on certain terms. We have been conditioned to the idea that you do, and then you receive. We earn or merit what we get. But in God's economy, his love is unconditional-without condition, predicated and based solely on his affection for us as our creator. Until we see the affection that God has for us, we will question the motive behind the act.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the

renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-

his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting

love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3

"But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ

died for us." Romans 5:8

"How can God possibly love me?" we wonder, deeply enmeshed in the grips of insecurity and shame, "I, the least liked of the unlikable?" Some of us have to travel a long way in our lives before coming to the end of our own sufficiency or repeat an infraction or addiction a number of times before reaching a certain point to where we begin to realize that God's love is real and that it is still there despite our efforts to out-sin it. It may take over a hundred times doing the same thing over and over again before we begin to understand the harm we are doing to ourselves and begin to give God's mercy and grace a chance. When the thought, "Do you still love me now, God?" begins to frame into, "Wow, you love even me?" the process of transformation has begun.

"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not

to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Not until we encounter a love great enough will we be able to overcome our resistance towards seeking help and letting go of the fear of rejection by others who might come to know the real us. Here's the great news: God knows everything about you-past, present, and future-and still loves you.

Mercy is not getting what we deserve. God totally pardoned our sins through what Jesus Christ did on the cross. We are totally justified and holy to God in Christ.

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ." Romans 8:1

Grace is getting what we don't deserve. Not only are we forgiven, but God has made us his children and co-heirs with Christ, himself!

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children

of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1

"Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if

indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."

Romans 8:17

The church today has great trepidation about grace running amok among its practitioners. The belief is that its the laws and rules which bring about our obedience and holiness. But this same argument was voiced over two thousand years ago:

"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no

means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" Romans 6:1-2

The point is, we don't experience God's grace to run freely into sin and be self-indulgent. We encounter God's grace to lead us to his affectionate love for us. It is the love of God and for God that will modify and transform our behavior. God's love will always be greater and more accepting then our behavior.

"The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased,

grace increased all the more," Romans 5:20

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Are you ready for some great news? You cannot out-run the love of God as exhibited by his great mercy and grace!

Have a blessed day and know that you are loved! See you tomorrow.....