I have been reading A LOT in the past year.
I know I have said this before, but I am amazed at how much has opened up to me in reading since I received my Kindle. I love it... and, if I am being honest, am not sure I would ever want to do without it.
Before my Kindle, I was reading many, many fictional books. They were awesome and I still need those from time to time. However, what I have been focusing on more in the last year are books that are growing me mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
This blog will cover all of those, I believe.
When I say the word "GRACE", what comes to your mind?
Is it a name? I know Mikayla's middle name is Grace.
Is it "lack thereof" as we many times joke about when we are trying to do something of which we are not very gifted?
Is it God's Grace? We so often think of that, don't we?
I have to say that many of those would have come to my mind, too, when first asked about that word.
I dare say that most Christians could quote many Scriptures containing the word grace.
What concerns me most, is do we practice grace.
I have just finished (within the last hour of typing this post!) reading the following book by Philip Yancey:
This book has ripped me to the core and caused me to "chew" for many weeks. It has caused me to re-think what I do or say to others. It has caused me to take a long, hard look at what Christians in general do or say to others. I HIGHLY recommend anyone to read this book!
This book will be one that I will refer back to for the rest of my life. It has brought out so many points that when I read Scripture now, I can't go back to what I used to think about grace.
So, why am I rambling, and what do I really want to say?
I am not sure that I can put into words exactly what I want to say to explain what the Lord has shown me in reading this book. I am just thankful He brought it to my attention and He led me to read it when I did.
As Christians, many times we look at "the sinners" and treat them as trash. I can say this, because I know I used to think many of these things:
- We look at the homeless and think they deserve what they get.
- We look at the drug addicts and think they are worthless.
- We look at the murderers and are so happy when "justice" is served.
- We look at the children/teens who disobey, defy, turn to the wrong areas for love and support, listen to the "wrong" music, dress differently, and think: 'they are never going to change so what is the use?'
- We look at homosexuals who are engaging in a lifestyle that is clearly wrong and think if they have died of AIDS or some other disease that it "serves them right."
However, we forget to remember our OWN weaknesses of pride, lying, gluttony, self-preservation, covetousness, "holier-than-thou" attitudes, ETC. that resemble those Pharisees during Jesus' day. We are so consumed with following a rule instead of reaching out to a world and SHOWING them the grace that we have already been given. We give off the impression that we have "arrived" in this life because we go to church, and look down on those who are different and do not. No wonder many of those who are "down and out" want nothing to do with the church. Some of the "different" people act more kindly than those who are professing Christians!
We all have something in common. We ALL need GRACE.
That homeless individual needs grace and unconditional love. Do we want that person to continue in their path, no, but we also must show true love and grace to give help in time of need. At one time in my life I was homeless.... a sinner in need of a home not from here. Jesus reached down and showed me grace and I accepted. I now have a home for eternity waiting for me.
Those who are drug addicts... who cannot stop the addiction. The ones who we see as "repeat offenders".... they need grace, too. Do they need boundaries and love that expects much? Yes, but it must be seasoned with grace. Unconditionally. I once was an addict... in fact, I still fight it daily. I was an addict to sin. Jesus shows me through His Word that I am not to remain where I am but to change daily into His image. He gives me "the twelve-step" program of grace where when I stumble, He takes me back. In fact, He RUNS to me.
That murderer who deserves "justice" to be served.... needs forgiveness and grace. It isn't always easy. Some of those people are very HARD. However, grace can soften any hard surface. I was a murderer... I have hated people, called them names, treated them as if they should not even live. It was MY sin that nailed my Savior to the cross. Through it all, GRACE did much more abound.
Those children/teens who seem as though are hard as stone. The ones who are defiant, doing things that visibly are so wrong and seem to enjoy "shoving it" in others faces... and even those who look "normal" on the outside but are cutting themselves, addicted to drugs or alcohol, etc. I may look like a well-adjusted person on the outside, but the Lord knows the struggles I face every day. He shows me grace. He loves me even when I am unlovable... when I disobey Him and show defiance. When I do things to my body that I know I shouldn't... He gives me grace.
That homosexual who blatantly flaunts a desire for the same sex. Whoa, that is a tough one.... it is just SO wrong. Hmm... isn't lying, pride, covetousness just as wrong? We still must show love and grace even though we do not agree with or believe in the lifestyle. How is shouting out hate going to show anyone grace? I have offended God in the fact that I am a lover of myself. Yet, He extends grace to me.
Believe me, I do not think that grace gives us a ticket to just go and sin outright. If we are truly conformed to the image of Christ, we WANT to change to become more like Christ. Paul speaks about that in Romans 6:1,2 - "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?"
What I have learned is that we are all sinners in need of grace and if we, the Church, do not show the human version of that grace we have received and give off the appearance of having it all together, then how will we ever make a difference in this world? I am reminded DAILY that I am nothing without the Lord's grace. I am just like the homeless, the drug addict, the defiant one, the homosexual.... I NEED grace. Are there consequences to sin, yes, but that doesn't mean we are to be hateful.
We are all created in His image and Jesus spent more time with those who were of the "outcasts" in society while He was on earth than He did with those who were "righteous."
It begins with me. I must be always willing to show GRACE whether I agree with someone or not. I must not resort to "name-calling" but a desire to show the truth of God's Word with my speech and actions towards them, seasoned with grace. I must treat others the way the Lord always treats me.
Easy? No.
The flesh wants me to do the opposite, but I am to remember Whose Image to which I am being conformed.
Ephesians 4:7
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and
admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 4:6
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Hebrews 4:16
This song is sung so many times at so many churches and events. Let's make sure we LIVE it and not just sing it.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
James 4:6
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
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