Monday Devotions – Unmeasured Grace

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. (1Cor. 16:23)

Grace. It’s a term that’s much easier to understand than experience. Actually, I’m not sure we understand it very well, either.

Do you have a malnourished view of grace? It’s not too hard to tell. Do you live in a constant state of fear and discouragement that you aren’t measuring up to God’s standards? Do you wonder if God’s forgiveness covers your worst sins? If so, you’re failing to benefit from the unmerited acceptance God offers us through the grace of the cross. Or maybe you have the ill-informed perspective that being a Christian really isn’t all that difficult. You think the Gospel of grace is great news for non-Christians but rarely think about it as a believer. Your successes tempt you to pride, while your failures produce discouragement. Both are rooted in self-sufficiency rather than humble dependence on God’s grace.

God’s grace truly is amazing. Many of the songs we sing focus on the awe-inspiring reality that God has fully and freely forgiven our many sins through the substitutionary sacrifice of the Son of God at Calvary. But grace includes even more! His grace extends far beyond that event, in both directions. It was God’s grace that chose us in Christ to be His precious possession before we were even born. (Eph. 1:4; 2 Tim. 1:9) God’s grace gives us strength to turn from sin and walk in righteousness. (Titus 2:11-14) It is God’s grace that will enable us to faithfully persevere until our last breath. (1 Cor. 1:4-9)  And if that weren’t enough, God tells us in Ephesians that in the coming ages He will “show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:7) Endless grace!

A number of years ago, while having a time with the Lord, the phrase “Grace unmeasured, vast and free” popped into my mind. I used is as a springboard to write a song in which I try to unpack some of the meaning contained in God’s wondrous grace. We recorded it on a live project last year, and I’m offering it as a free download through the month of May. The lead sheet and chord chart are available here. I pray it’s an encouragement to your soul.

Verse 1
Grace unmeasured, vast and free
That knew me from eternity   
That called me out before my birth
To bring You glory on this earth
Grace amazing, pure and deep                        
That saw me in my misery
That took my curse and owned my blame
So I could bear your righteous name

Chorus
Grace (grace, grace)
Paid for my sins and brought me to life
Grace (grace, grace)
Clothes me with pow’r to do what is right
Grace (grace, grace)
Will lead me to heav’n where I’ll see Your face
And never cease to thank you for Your grace

Verse 2
Grace abounding, strong and true
That makes me long to be like You
That turns me from my selfish pride
To love the cross on which You died
Grace unending, all my days
You’ll give me strength to run this race
And when my years on earth are through
The praise will all belong to You
Words and music by Bob Kauflin. Copyright 2005 Sovereign Grace Praise.

If grace seems like a foreign concept to you, I’d highly recommend you buy and study two of Jerry Bridges’ books, Transforming Grace and The Discipline of Grace. Don’t spend another day missing out on the glorious riches of grace in our Savior.

6 Responses to Monday Devotions – Unmeasured Grace

  1. Ian McConnell April 24, 2006 at 2:44 PM #

    Those words are very helpful. I love that song! It captures the multifaceted beauties of God’s multifaceted grace. Peter speaks of “the manifold grace of God” which literally says, “the multi-colored grace of God.” God’s grace has so many shades of worship inspiring beauty.

    Our church’s name is Grace Bible and we have talked about making “Grace Unmeasured” our theme song, if there ever would be such a thing.

    p.s. Thanks for getting the song book out in print! You all at SGM so kindly serve the body of Christ. I have been waiting patiently for the “grand” announcement that it was complete—I was pumped to get the email last week.

  2. attycortes April 24, 2006 at 9:22 PM #

    Thanks for the free song, Bob. Will teach it to our praise and worship team and sing it in church.

  3. Dluxe April 25, 2006 at 10:13 AM #

    I first heard you reference this song in one of the worship lectures linked off your site. It’s been a favorite since then.

    What grace! Not only were we rescued from a deserved fate, but just think of the promise that’s before us… Just makes one marvel, doesn’t it?

  4. Amy April 25, 2006 at 10:32 AM #

    I love it! thanks for the download!

  5. Jayson Wittrup June 3, 2007 at 5:14 PM #

    Hello Bob, is there a reason this song is not in the CCLI catalog? I’d like to use it in our church but I’m not sure we can if it isn’t in CCLI.

  6. Bob Kauflin June 3, 2007 at 9:33 PM #

    Jayson,

    You can go ahead and use the song. When you fill out a CCLI report, just list the song. Thanks for your encouragement. I’ll check to see why CCLI doesn’t list it.

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