Some Assembly Required

Part 4: Relationships Built on Grace

We’ve all experienced relationships in which we’re afraid to make mistakes, constantly worrying that one wrong move could lead to serious consequences. Whether we impose these expectations on others or have them placed on us, this performance-driven mindset—where we feel we must be perfect to gain approval—inevitably leads to relational disaster.

This week, we looked at the story of Abram and Sarai in Genesis 12. Despite being called by God to bless the nations, Abram gets caught up in a web of deception, lying about Sarai and allowing Pharaoh to take her as his wife. The parallels to Genesis 3 are striking. Just as Adam and Eve took what was pleasing to their eyes, so did Pharaoh. Abram, acting deceitfully, mirrored the role of the snake. Yet, while the snake was cursed, God did not curse or abandon Abram. Even after Abram found himself in similar circumstances a few chapters later, God upheld his promises, offering an abundance of grace.

Exodus 34:6-7 tells us that God is full of compassion, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness. Abram didn’t deserve God’s blessing, but God gave it freely. God’s grace to Abram and us surpasses anything we can imagine. It is a constant, unwavering posture of love, not dependent on our performance.

When grace abounds, it eliminates the need to perform to gain approval. When we experience God’s grace, it transforms us, and when we carry grace into our relationships, it transforms them as well.