Love and Grace

This current trial in my life has brought to light much of my own sin, and not just the sin of my offender. Certain sins have been made very real to me and I now recognize the deep depravity involved, the grossness and perversion of sin - no matter what kind of sin it is. Sin is sin. This refreshed realization has given me the freedom and ability to extend grace to those who have wronged me. I have been forgiven for my horrific crimes against God - how dare I be unwilling to forgive those who have hurt me? I am no less of a sinner than they, and they are no greater a sinner than me. We all deserve hell. We all are offered God's grace. And our responsibility as God's children is to point others to that grace. This means putting aside our rights (or really, what we think we are entitled to - because in all honesty, the only thing any of us truly deserve is hell)...but putting aside ourselves and replace it with God's love. 1 Corinthians 13 speaks about love and lays out plainly the requirements of true love. The first point made is love without action is worthless. It means nothing. It just gets annoying. We can talk all we want about love and grace, but it we do not practice it, what good does that do? Enough talk. Let's get to work!

And it is work. Extending love and grace is easy when things are fine and dandy (when you and your spouse are getting along or your children are being obedient, etc.) Easier said than done when you've been offended or betrayed. This is where denying ourselves, taking up the cross and following Christ comes into play. This is where we must remember our own depravity and the forgiveness and grace God extended to us. (And dare I say, so graciously continues to extended to us. Praise Him!) And He will help. he doesn't expect us to go through life alone and be successful in surviving life's trials, because He knows we can't. He eagerly awaits us to come before His throne, hands open and lifted up, ready to receive the wisdom and strength that only He can provide. Attempts of love and grace on our own will only fail and lead to disaster. With God's help, there is guidance, joy and contentment in the midst of trial.

To be continued...