This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:17)

In order to define what kind of environment the Lord wants for our marriages, we need to look at the environment the heavenly Father created for His Son.

We read in Scriptures that as Christ came up out of the baptismal waters, the heavens opened up and the Spirit of God descended on Him like a dove. A voice then began to say, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

It’s important to note that this Fatherly expression of acceptance, approval, and grace came on the very first day of Jesus’ public ministry. He hadn’t yet done anything “messianic.” He hadn’t preached one sermon, performed one miracle, or cast out even one demon. Jesus’ Father was saying, “I love You, and You don’t have to do anything to earn or deserve my love. I just love You!”

That, friends, is the definition of grace.

We can infer from the account of Jesus’ baptism that God felt such love and joy for His Son that He blessed Him publicly. The Father wanted His Son to be reassured of His love and grace before He began His public ministry, before He began to do the work of the Father.

Intimate relationships are founded upon first being accepted, loved, and valued – the way the Father accepted, loved, and valued His Son at the baptism. And once the assurance of this acceptance and love is in place, the object of that grace desires to “do” the work necessary within the relationship.

To give grace to my spouse will mean bestowing favor upon him or her without expectations of behavior or performance. The same goes with the parent and child relationship.

Q. What can we do today to demonstrate grace – that is love and acceptance bestowed apart from performance or behavior – on our spouse and children?

PRAYER: God thank You that You first loved, accepted, and gave great value to me apart from my behavior. Help me to do the same to my spouse and children. In Jesus name. Amen.

Hope this devotion will help us to introspect ourselves and sincerely desire to change to be grace extenders, first starting with our family.