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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Dear Rev. Graham: I keep hearing the phrase “full of grace.” I even heard a politician recently suggest we should exhibit grace in the upcoming elections – and then he proceeded to destroy an opponent’s integrity. I’ve heard people say that we live in an age of grace, but it is actually the age of disgracefulness. I think the idea is that someone who is full of grace is basically a kind person, but our culture that speaks of it certainly does not emulate it. Isn’t it fair to say that grace is out of style these days? – L.G.

Dear L.G.: We have seen moral and religious leaders fall into disgrace in the eyes of God and man. We’ve also seen the Gospel of Jesus Christ twisted and distorted to accommodate the destructive morals and secular behavior of these times.
Like many other words in our language, the word “grace” has several meanings, depending on how it’s used. When “grace” is used to describe God, it refers to His kindness, love, and mercy toward us. The psalmist prayed, “Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your loving kindnesses, for they are from old” (Psalm 25:6, NKJV).
Another meaning of grace is describing the era in which we live – this is the “age of grace” because God’s offer of forgiveness and a new life still stands. Jesus calls out to the world, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NIV). “For by grace you have been saved through faith … it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8, NKJV). This is grace.
“God our Savior, who desires [all] to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth” (1 Timothy 2:3–4, NKJV). We should not let a day go by without thanking God for His mercy and grace to us and taking hold of it.
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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)