To do any justice to such an amazing topic would be to live a life of grace. Regrettably, many believers experience a void in their lives when it comes to grace. It seems that bitterness, wrath, and judgment mark the summary of their lives. This is truly sad because it’s among Christians that this is happening. There is nothing sweeter than the grace and love of God and yet somehow people have made it into something totally different.
One lesson I have learned over the years is that only those who have truly experienced the grace of God can ever extend it unto others. But most of you by now are offended. You might argue that you are a forgiving person, you love people that are ignored by others, and you never judge other people. Let me put grace in another light. Maybe I shouldn’t say people don’t extend true grace, only limited grace. Think about it. All of our forgiveness has a limit right? We can forgive up to a certain point.
The point I’m trying to make is in John 8:1-11. It is one of my favorite stories in the Bible and the bottom line is that everyone has sinned, but Jesus extends grace to anyone who is willing to repent. If Jesus accepted the adulterous woman, why shouldn’t we accept those who have made the same mistake in the church? Do we really believe that God exchanged a broken and stained woman for a heart that is pure and body that now belongs to God? Can we forgive each other for a hurtful thing said, a betrayal, or being ignored at school?
I’m then reminded of the parable of the unmerciful servant. No matter any offense that is committed against us or unto others, it is literally nothing compared to what our sins weigh before a perfect and Holy God. Remember that. The gap between what is done among people is immeasurable compared our commission of sins toward God Almighty.
I do not boast about myself. I want to exalt the grace and love of God in my life. Because I am fearfully aware of my sins before God and how He forgave me of such sins, I am now capable of expressing acceptance instead of judgment and love instead of wrath. Here’s the thing about grace. When you find it too difficult to forgive, to love another because of their sin against you or others, examine your hearts because you might be far from God’s grace and following in the footsteps of the unmerciful servant. (Matthew 18:21-35) I highly encourage you to read it for yourself!
One lesson I have learned over the years is that only those who have truly experienced the grace of God can ever extend it unto others. But most of you by now are offended. You might argue that you are a forgiving person, you love people that are ignored by others, and you never judge other people. Let me put grace in another light. Maybe I shouldn’t say people don’t extend true grace, only limited grace. Think about it. All of our forgiveness has a limit right? We can forgive up to a certain point.
The point I’m trying to make is in John 8:1-11. It is one of my favorite stories in the Bible and the bottom line is that everyone has sinned, but Jesus extends grace to anyone who is willing to repent. If Jesus accepted the adulterous woman, why shouldn’t we accept those who have made the same mistake in the church? Do we really believe that God exchanged a broken and stained woman for a heart that is pure and body that now belongs to God? Can we forgive each other for a hurtful thing said, a betrayal, or being ignored at school?
I’m then reminded of the parable of the unmerciful servant. No matter any offense that is committed against us or unto others, it is literally nothing compared to what our sins weigh before a perfect and Holy God. Remember that. The gap between what is done among people is immeasurable compared our commission of sins toward God Almighty.
I do not boast about myself. I want to exalt the grace and love of God in my life. Because I am fearfully aware of my sins before God and how He forgave me of such sins, I am now capable of expressing acceptance instead of judgment and love instead of wrath. Here’s the thing about grace. When you find it too difficult to forgive, to love another because of their sin against you or others, examine your hearts because you might be far from God’s grace and following in the footsteps of the unmerciful servant. (Matthew 18:21-35) I highly encourage you to read it for yourself!