CR Step Study Lesson 18 – Grace

Lesson 18 Principle & Step:

Principle 6:  Evaluate all my relationships.  Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I have done to others, except when to do so would harm them or others.  Happy are the merciful.  Matthew 5:7  Happy are the peacemakers.  Matthew 5:9

Step 9:  We made a direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.  There, if you are offering your gift at the alter and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the alter.  First, go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.  Matthew 5:23-24

Lesson 18 – Highlights:

We have come to the end of Principle 6 where we have made amends, restitution, and offered forgiveness to those who have hurt us.  Now we must choose to receive and model Jesus’ free gift of grace.

Grace cannot be bought, bargained for, or earned.  It is a GIFT given to us by God for FREE!

Received by our faith, we are received into heaven by our FAITH in Jesus Christ, not our works

Accepted by God’s love, we can love others because God first loved us

Christ paid the ultimate price on the cross for our sins

Everlasting gift, once you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior grace is forever

Do you have your list of people from the Amends lesson that you wanted to make amends to?  The following steps are helpful in getting you started in the process.

1. Highlight the names that you can take care of immediately.
2. Review the list with your spouse, accountability partner/sponsor to ensure that making an amends or offering forgiveness to that individual will not injure them or another.
3. Pray, asking God to show you the right time and words to use in making amends or offering forgiveness.
4. For those on the list, that you cannot make amends with due to death, or they cannot be located you can write that person a letter and share it with your support team.

To better understand grace, I will use the definition from Merriam-Webster.

GRACE   a virtue from God; or an unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification

It is a small word with enormous meaning.  The power of grace is only ignited by our belief and faith in Jesus Christ.  It took me over a two decades to comprehend how much God loves ME, that he died on the cross for MY sins.  Today I believe to my core those two important facts and stand in victory.  They help me Celebrate my Recovery each day.

Asking for forgiveness and forgiving can be a bit scary but once you follow God’s instructions the rewards are amazing.  Are you ready to offer amends?  Are you ready to forgive?

Remember God first forgave you so now go and forgive.  Click on my podcast below and let’s cover the questions in this lesson together.  Let the grace abound!

Lesson 18 – Questions:

1. How has Jesus used your weaknesses and turned them into strengths?
2. How can you receive God’s gift of grace? (Romans 5:2)
3. How can you model God’s gift of grace in making your amends?
4. In what ways, have you experienced God’s grace in your recovery?
5. God loved and accepted us while we were still sinners (Ephesians 2:5). How can you model that acceptance to those whom you need to offer forgiveness or make amends?
6. In Principle 6 we are not trying to get even. Christ paid the price for all of our wrongs.  What does “speaking the truth in love” mean to you?
7. Why is it important that your focus only on your part in making an amends or offering forgiveness?
8. List some things God has shown you through working Principle 6.

After making amends and offering forgiveness I was not carrying all the burdens from my past.  My journey began to feel life was more manageable and my future was hopeful.  You could say I started to see light at the end of my tunnel.  What examples of grace have you experienced during your recovery journey?  What have those examples taught you about grace?  Share and or comment below.

Recovery is not meant to be a solo journey.  There is power in numbers so I strongly recommend that you find a Celebrate Recovery group in your area.  To find one near you click here.  Remember… JOY is a choice, so choose well!