In order for grace to be realised fully there must be an exchange, or agreement, between the one dispensing grace and the one receiving grace. If grace is only given without being accepted, there can be no grace at all. And if grace is not offered, then there is nothing to be received. Grace, just like love, is a two-way street; it is a mutual agreement and partnership between the giver and receiver to be fully realised. Love given but not received can be no real love at all. Grace given but not received cannot be real grace at all.
I see grace as a spiritual transaction; any successful transaction has a giver and a receiver, and no transaction can occur with either of the parties not present.
This tells me that we carry a responsibility on whichever side of the equation we stand. We have a responsibility to extend grace, and we have a responsibility to accept grace. Again, this is the same with love. We have a responsibility to love, and also to accept responsibility to be loved. Eden Ahbez said, “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” We can certainly apply that to grace as well – the greatest thing you’ll ever learn is to give grace and to receive grace in return.
Grace allows our failures to become mere stepping stones to success. If there was no grace our failures would simply crush us, and make any attempt of life on our part futile.
So, are you a receiver of grace? Are you giver of grace?
tintravels 