The Atmosphere of Grace Revealed

• 

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42-47)

In this passage of Scripture we have a paradigm of what it means for the church of our Lord Jesus Christ to live in the atmosphere of grace. This snapshot of the early church is a call for us to find the same dwelling place.

Jesus has been resurrected and enthroned in heaven. He has received the gift of the Spirit and has freely poured it out upon the church. The followers of Christ thereby enter into a grace-filled, Spirit-empowered fellowship of overflowing joy.

Their hearts have been changed. Life has taken on a totally new meaning. They have been born of the Spirit and baptized in the Spirit. They love the Word of God, and they cherish their times of prayer together and the sharing of meals. God is confirming his Word with signs and wonders. The community responds in generosity as they receive heaven’s generosity. 

There is an overflowing of praise coming from glad and sincere hearts. God is giving them favor within their communities and because of this great outpouring of grace “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

May our hearts be stirred as we realize the blessings that are imparted to the followers of Christ who have learned to live in and cherish “The Atmosphere of Grace.” It is the place where the fulness of God’s goodness is experienced, overflowing into our communities, daily bringing others to the joyful fellowship of his eternal grace.