"With great ('mega' in the Greek) power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much ('mega') grace was upon them all." (Acts 4:33 NIV)
"It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace." (Hebrews 13:9 KJV)

To be 'disgraced' is to experience the loss of affirmation, acceptance, honor, favor, and respect. It is the condition of being disapproved or rejected. We internalize it as shame. Feelings of shame can sink down into your spirit until it permeates your self-concept. When shame defines who you are it becomes toxic. It poisons your perspective and general demeanor. Healthy shame is when we recognize that we have done wrong and take responsibility for our actions. Toxic shame is when we believe that we are worthless as a result.

Those who have discovered grace, God's full pardon and acceptance on the basis of Christ's 'once and for all' sacrifice for sin on the Cross, should allow that reality to penetrate to the core of their being. When grace permeates your self concept it will radiate through your attitudes and actions. You live a 'graced' life.

The grace of God righteously acquits the guilty. The penalty our sin deserved, Christ suffered on our behalf. Jesus identified with our sin that we might be identified with His righteousness. The grace of God goes beyond merely pardoning and accepting the sinner. He pronounces us righteous, receives us as His children and then imparts to us His Holy Spirit that we might be empowered to live holy lives. The influence of the Holy Spirit upon our hearts and minds will grace our thinking and behaving. We are given new aptitudes and a holy boldness. The Spirit's enablement causes us to live graced lives.

The early church simply believed the gospel. The result was the manifestation of mega-grace. Abundant grace was upon them (Acts 4:33). In a seemingly effortless manner they boldly testified of the reality of the resurrection and proceeded to demonstrate it through their compassionate works of love, healing and service.

In the Old Testament, in Genesis 4, Abel is an example of someone who believed the gospel. As a result He lived a 'graced' life. The Book of Hebrews tells us that he knew in his heart that God had declared him righteous (Hebrews 11:4). He knew he was accepted and commended by God. This must have permeated his spirit to the degree that he was absolutely free in the love of God.

His brother, Cain, is an example of someone who trusts in his own understanding and hopes that God will accept him on his own merits. He gives God what he thinks best rather than what God requires. He brings the best of his achievements rather than the substitutionary sacrifice demanded for sin's atonement. Rather than submitting to the gospel of grace, he attempts to worship God according to his own wisdom. He approaches God on the basis of a 'works-righteousness' rather than a 'gift-righteousness'. But there is no resulting heart knowledge of God. There is no communion. There is no revelation of God's acceptance. As a result Cain was jealous of his brother's 'graced' life. He became angry and his face downcast. It is the first case of clinical depression in the Scriptures.

We see the spirit of Cain in the religious crowd that spurned Jesus of Nazareth. They resented His graced life. Those who persecute the church perpetuate the spirit of Cain. The elder brother resents the bestowal of favor on the returning prodigal.

How is it with your heart? Are you living on the basis of God's testimony to your conscience that you are loved, accepted and pronounced righteous 'in Christ'? Are you trusting in the perfect sufficiency of Christ's offering on your behalf or are you struggling to earn acceptance by offering God your own sacrifices? Are you trusting in your own ability to perform for God (a works-righteousness) or God's ability to perform through you (a gift-righteousness)? Do you realize that the Christ who died for you, rose from the dead to live in you? Don't settle for anything less than what God has promised in the new covenant: mega-grace. May it be said that "Great grace is upon you."