Ephesians 2: 4 - 5 NKJV
I was reminded this week of just how different life can be when we extend grace and forgiveness to another. Where there was once conflict and distrust, there is now forgiveness. The difficulty which many of us have in sharing with others that which has been freely given to us is that it somehow makes us feel weak or inferior. "No mercy!" is usually the cry of one who so desperately needs it himself. It was love and mercy which God first bestowed upon us while we were in the midst of our former condition. Why didn't God simply start over after the fall in the garden? Think about it, He could have done it over and over again until such a time where He had the perfect creation. That is, everything and everyone in union with Him. Well, because He's God and He can work things out how He sees fit. Besides, the way in which God has revealed Himself through our sin fall tells us a lot about Him. What would you think of a God who, each time you screwed up, simply erased everything about you and begin once again with a brand new creation? As for myself, I would never associate the attributes of God to such a creator. We are told that God is love {1 John 4:8}. However, what love would God exhibit were He to toss us aside after we had sinned? I think of some people, and we all know them, who live by the edict of "Do what I say, not as I do." Those people who place expectations upon others which they themselves refuse to adhere to. Jesus recognized this in the Jewish authorities of His day and He called them out on it {Matthew 23:28}. What we see in God from the beginning is His desire that ALL will come to know Him {John 3:16-17}. With God there is no favoritism {James 2:9}. No, if God were to simply toss aside anyone who ever sinned it would reveal nothing of His character. Gone would be the love and grace which we were freely given while we were yet in our former sin condition {Ephesians 2:8-9}. Knowing this, how would the love and grace of God ever be made known to His children? Instead, we would have a God who simply swept aside those who went against Him.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4: 16 NKJV
Thankfully, we have a God who, in His mercy, recognized me for who I was even when sin entered the picture. I mention this because it is a HUGE part of how it is that we are to treat those around us. What God knew was that we were His creation. Not only that, it is God Himself who is in us {Galatians 2:20}. I had nothing whatsoever to do with bringing myself into being, that credit goes to the Lord. Think about that, God knew beforehand that we would sin, and yet He gave the breath of life to us all {Genesis 2:7}. Once He breathed into me the breath of life, I became part of Him. As sure as I am that I am a part of my own parents DNA, I am a part of God as well. Yet, the story of how it is by which God showered us with His love and grace does not end there. We are told also that we ourselves, having Christ in us, should be exhibiters of the very love and grace which we ourselves received {Colossians 3:13}. As the Lord has forgiven us, so are we to forgive others. When we do this, something deeper comes into view. For when we show the attributes of Christ who is in us, those around us will see Him as well. How will others see the love and forgiveness of Jesus for themselves if not through the lives of those who follow Him {Matthew 5:16}? Not only are we creating good moods for ourselves when we extend love and mercy to others, but we are showing Jesus to the world. We may be faced with one of the worst people we have ever met...but it is here where grace abounds.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven"
Matthew 5: 16 NKJV
~Scott~
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