We talk a lot about grace in the church. How by His grace we are saved. Romans 3:24 NIV And all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. That is just one of many verses in the bible that cover the grace Christ has gifted us. Not by our own merit are we saved. Nothing we can do can earn such as this.
I wrote a blog post awhile back titled "And Then There Was Grace," in that post I wrote about giving ourselves grace when we mess up. I want to share yet another aspect of grace that I personally find the hardest. (Although Grace in general is a tough concept for our human minds to wrap around). It is extending grace to others.
I will tell you, for me, extending grace to strangers is much easier than family and friends. We have certain expectations of these individuals we surround ourselves with. Especially our fellow Christians. We expect them to act a certain way because they know better, right?! And yet I fear all too often I miss the point. I forget we are all sinners. As Paul says, "I die to sin daily." Basically, there isn't a day that goes by that I haven't made a mistake. Sure, some days I make big ones, some days small, but not one day goes by that I am perfect, or deemed worthy of the grace I have been gifted. So why do I withhold grace from others when they sin against me?
Now please don't misconstrue my words here. This in no way means that extending grace means there are no consequences to actions. It also doesn't mean we should take abuse over and over. We can extend grace without accepting the behavior. I think sometimes I feel like extending grace means I accept their behavior, and I am saying it's ok. That is not what it means. I am still learning this. I, like you, am still living through teachable moments in this life. What we can hold onto as a child of God is that when we go through these times, to see what we can learn from Christ. Maybe sometimes we just need to lean on Christ, hold His hand so He can guide us to make the right decisions. Do not have a false belief that the right decision is the easiest. Honestly, most times it is the hardest, but has the best outcome.
I hope as you read this it touched your heart. I know God knows who will read, and who needs this. Through my writing I learn more about myself and Christ. Who He is, and who He has called me to be. Prayers for all of you. May His grace be with you!
I wrote a blog post awhile back titled "And Then There Was Grace," in that post I wrote about giving ourselves grace when we mess up. I want to share yet another aspect of grace that I personally find the hardest. (Although Grace in general is a tough concept for our human minds to wrap around). It is extending grace to others.
I will tell you, for me, extending grace to strangers is much easier than family and friends. We have certain expectations of these individuals we surround ourselves with. Especially our fellow Christians. We expect them to act a certain way because they know better, right?! And yet I fear all too often I miss the point. I forget we are all sinners. As Paul says, "I die to sin daily." Basically, there isn't a day that goes by that I haven't made a mistake. Sure, some days I make big ones, some days small, but not one day goes by that I am perfect, or deemed worthy of the grace I have been gifted. So why do I withhold grace from others when they sin against me?
Now please don't misconstrue my words here. This in no way means that extending grace means there are no consequences to actions. It also doesn't mean we should take abuse over and over. We can extend grace without accepting the behavior. I think sometimes I feel like extending grace means I accept their behavior, and I am saying it's ok. That is not what it means. I am still learning this. I, like you, am still living through teachable moments in this life. What we can hold onto as a child of God is that when we go through these times, to see what we can learn from Christ. Maybe sometimes we just need to lean on Christ, hold His hand so He can guide us to make the right decisions. Do not have a false belief that the right decision is the easiest. Honestly, most times it is the hardest, but has the best outcome.
I hope as you read this it touched your heart. I know God knows who will read, and who needs this. Through my writing I learn more about myself and Christ. Who He is, and who He has called me to be. Prayers for all of you. May His grace be with you!
