I just heard a very interesting description of grace.
As Christians, we know that grace is a free, undeserved gift given to us by God. We have all, at one time or another, messed up, failed, made a mistake, or simply chosen to do something we knew was wrong. Yet, after we ask forgiveness from God (with right motives and sincere regret), we find that His love, mercy, and grace are there for us. For some reason, that’s always surprising to us. It shouldn’t be. We should know God is perfectly just, infinitely loving and merciful. God even takes it a step further and helps make us better for our mistakes.
Grace is also something that can come from God through other people. Some people, God bless them, have a wonderful capacity for grace, while others, bless their hearts, simply don’t. We were all made differently. One man, who has a great capacity for grace, likened it to something that is still blowing my mind.
Imagine this: A suicide bomber comes into your home while your entire family is in it and explodes. You and your family survive, but the man is severely wounded. Grace is being able to go to that man, help him care for his wounds, and, although you’re ticked off at him for trying to kill your family, tell him you love and forgive him.
!!!
Imagine what that man had to go through in order to make the decision to be a suicide bomber. Think about the subtle choices and decisions that had to be made before he took that step. Imagine how brainwashed he would have to be. How completely fooled and duped. And, although he made the final choice to bomb your house and the consequences are on him, imagine there was an even more sinister and diabolical force leading him.
That is what it’s like in our world. We know that Satan is real, hates us, and wants to destroy us. We’ve all heard his lies, seen his work, and experienced sin in one way or another. Those of us who have seriously messed up and returned to God can understand the depth of thankfulness and completely heartbreaking love the suicide bomber felt when that person forgave him and loved him through his mess.
We’re all different. We all have a certain capacity for one thing or another. But we’re all given the choice to love people with God’s love. It’s so easy to react, to get caught up in our feelings. Those feelings are good. They let us know we were hurt, that a line was crossed, and that we have been wronged. But God wants us to respond in love. He tells us that in the same way He forgave us, so we should forgive others. It’s definitely a lot harder to do that than it is to lash out.
As Christians, we know that grace is a free, undeserved gift given to us by God. We have all, at one time or another, messed up, failed, made a mistake, or simply chosen to do something we knew was wrong. Yet, after we ask forgiveness from God (with right motives and sincere regret), we find that His love, mercy, and grace are there for us. For some reason, that’s always surprising to us. It shouldn’t be. We should know God is perfectly just, infinitely loving and merciful. God even takes it a step further and helps make us better for our mistakes.
Grace is also something that can come from God through other people. Some people, God bless them, have a wonderful capacity for grace, while others, bless their hearts, simply don’t. We were all made differently. One man, who has a great capacity for grace, likened it to something that is still blowing my mind.
Imagine this: A suicide bomber comes into your home while your entire family is in it and explodes. You and your family survive, but the man is severely wounded. Grace is being able to go to that man, help him care for his wounds, and, although you’re ticked off at him for trying to kill your family, tell him you love and forgive him.
!!!
Imagine what that man had to go through in order to make the decision to be a suicide bomber. Think about the subtle choices and decisions that had to be made before he took that step. Imagine how brainwashed he would have to be. How completely fooled and duped. And, although he made the final choice to bomb your house and the consequences are on him, imagine there was an even more sinister and diabolical force leading him.
That is what it’s like in our world. We know that Satan is real, hates us, and wants to destroy us. We’ve all heard his lies, seen his work, and experienced sin in one way or another. Those of us who have seriously messed up and returned to God can understand the depth of thankfulness and completely heartbreaking love the suicide bomber felt when that person forgave him and loved him through his mess.
We’re all different. We all have a certain capacity for one thing or another. But we’re all given the choice to love people with God’s love. It’s so easy to react, to get caught up in our feelings. Those feelings are good. They let us know we were hurt, that a line was crossed, and that we have been wronged. But God wants us to respond in love. He tells us that in the same way He forgave us, so we should forgive others. It’s definitely a lot harder to do that than it is to lash out.
I was just talking about how I wanted to punch the kids who stole the youth group x-boxes from our church in the face.
Thanks for convicting me.
Jerk.
:)
@Richard,
Ouch, man. I'm sorry. Theft is never a cool thing.
You're welcome, by the way.