LOVE AND GRACE

When love is combined with grace

It is the richest it can be;

Like a pure flowing waterfall

And like a well nourished tree.

Its root system is established;

Firm and strong with much abundance,

And watered are those precious seeds

With its fruit and succulence.

Love is an action

And it’s manifested too,

In ways we serve, in hospitality

And the simple things we do.

Love flows from the heart

Via the fruit of the Spirit,

Where faithfulness and gentleness

And where much goodness dwells within it.

Grace is undeserved favour

Where a superior does bestow,

On someone looked upon as inferior

Or maybe sometimes as a foe.

We were all enemies of God

Until grace embraced the cross,

And took the place of our punishment

So we do not face eternal loss.

Grace is generous and it is kind

And totally undeserved,

But Christ is our example

When He washed the feet and served.

When grace and love do kiss

They form a sweet smelling scent;

A merciful blend of peace and joy

That’s purely heaven sent.

When love and grace are enveloped

Around the border of our soul,

We humbly serve in meekness of spirit

As God’s treasures they unfold.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.” 2 Corinthians 13:14

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Romans 5:8-9

“In this the love of God was manifested toward us that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:9-11

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:18-19

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9

“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Colossians 4:6

“So all bore witness to Him, and marvelled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, ‘Is this not Joseph’s son?’” Luke 4:22

“And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.” Exodus 34:6-7

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 13:34

“Jesus became what we are that we might become what He is.” Irenaeus