Celebrating the Grace of God

In Acts 15, the churches rejoiced when they heard how Gentiles were being saved by God’s grace. This joy mirrors the celebration described in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15. When the lost son returned home — dirty, broken, and penniless — the father didn’t scold or shame him. Instead, he celebrated. He ran to him, embraced him, clothed him, and called for a feast. What an incredible picture of the Father’s heart! And yet, not everyone celebrated. The older brother stood outside the party, angry. He felt he deserved more because he had “performed better.”

This mindset still exists in all of us. Sometimes we are more like the older brother than we care to admit. When we compare, judge, or quietly resent God’s grace toward others, we reveal our own misunderstanding of grace.
 
Grace should always lead to celebration — not just when we experience God’s forgiveness, but when others do as well.
 
When we remember how lost we were, how far God came to rescue us, and how freely He poured out His grace and mercy, celebration becomes the only fitting response.
 
Grace is not dull or ordinary. It is breathtaking. It is surprising. It is undeserved. And it is worth celebrating every day.
 
Scripture:
Luke 15:32 - But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found. 
 
Application:
Identify one area of your life where you have forgotten to celebrate God’s grace. Think of one way you can intentionally rejoice in His goodness today.
 
Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your amazing grace. Give me a heart that celebrates — not just my forgiveness, but the forgiveness of others. Remove any spirit of comparison or pride in me. Help me rejoice the way heaven rejoices.