A community of Christians characterised by grace and gracious acts will stand out in powerful, tangible ways. It won’t just be known by what it believes, but also by how it treats people - especially those who are hurting, struggling, or on the margins.

For the sake of focusing our thinking into some tangible areas, here are some possible ways a community like ours could give testimony to the gracious love of God we know to be true:

1. Radical Welcome and Inclusion

A grace-filled community creates space for everyone - regardless of background, past mistakes, or social status. There’s no sense of "insiders" and "outsiders." People feel they belong before they believe, or even before they behave a certain way.

Think of Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners - it wasn't just symbolic; it was scandalous grace in action.

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Romans 15:7

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile... for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

2. Forgiveness Over Judgment

In a gracious community, people aren’t defined by their worst moments. Mistakes are met with compassion, not condemnation. Confession is safe because people know they won’t be shamed or cast out.

As Philip Yancey said: “Grace means there’s nothing you can do to make God love you more - and nothing you can do to make Him love you less.”

“Bear with each other and forgive one another... Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37

3. Generosity Without Strings

Grace overflows into tangible acts: sharing resources, time, and love freely. People give not to earn favour or recognition, but because they’ve received so much from both God and others. It’s a kind of giving that reflects the heart of God - lavish and with no expectation of a returning of the grace extended.

“Freely you have received; freely give.” Matthew 10:8

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give... for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

4. Humility Instead of Superiority

A community marked by grace knows it stands equal at the foot of the cross; their life together is not about spiritual one-upmanship. Leaders serve with humility, and success is measured in love, not influence or "how it all looks”.

The tone of the grace-filled community changes from “you/we should be more like us” to “we’re all in need of the same grace” and “we should be thankful for all that God has done, in His great mercy as it extends to us”.

“The greatest among you will be your servant.” Matthew 23:11

“In humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3

5. Healing and Restoration

Where grace reigns, broken things can be mended - relationships, lives, whole communities (and subsets within). People are patient with each other’s growth, walk with the wounded, and celebrate redemption stories, no matter how messy and complicated they might appear to be.

“He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted... to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes.” Isaiah 61:1-3

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

6. Joy and Freedom

There’s a lightness in the atmosphere of a gracious community. Not because life is easy, but because shame isn’t the default and love is abundant. People serve out of joy, not obligation. There’s room for laughter, vulnerability, and real connection.

In summary, a grace-filled Christian community becomes a preview of the kingdom of God - a place where mercy triumphs over judgment, where love casts out fear, and where the impossible work of transformation feels and is evidently possible. It’s a community that doesn’t just talk about grace - it embodies it. And that’s what makes it unmistakably different.

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17

Will you join me in seeking to grow our school’s community into more of the gracious community just like the one I’ve described here?

We’re on that journey, but there is always more that we can do!

Shalom.

Principally Thinking

'Act justly, love kindness, and walk humbly with God'

Issue 6 · 01 May 2025

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