To read the first of part Grasping at Grace click here.
Grace: unmerited favor
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. — Ephesians 1:7-8
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. — John 13:34
Sometimes giving grace to others is difficult.
I project the perfectionism I struggle with in myself onto others. Not with everyone. I am usually very gracious and understanding with my friends and most people.
The ugly truth soon appears though and I catch myself being critical of certain people. People I come in contact with who claim to be Christians. Yet in my mind I don’t see some their behaviors changing. They aren’t trying to improve their life or the way they live.
So in my heart I judge. My expectations set them up for failure. Why should I expect them not to fail when I face my own failures every day?
And then God allows the painful conviction. The conviction that I have no right to judge. Where has their life journey taken them? What experiences make it so difficult for them to change? What abuses have they endured?
There but for the grace of God go I.
I don’t know their hearts. Only God does.
He also knows mine. A painful realization. We are commanded to love one another. A difficult task at best. Yet he pours his grace on us so who are we to not give the gift of grace?
How much more should I show the grace that God lavishes on me to others?
Thankfully He continues to love me enough to lavish that grace, that unmerited favor, pouring it over me even when I don’t deserve it.
