Forgotten Grace
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
This week has been one of experiencing the love of God. By experiencing I mean being confronted by His love in the way of discipline. The Bible tells us that the Lord disciplines those He loves with the desire to refine them. Needless to say, I need refining.
I’ve been reading, “Slaying the Giants in Your Life,” by Dr. David Jeremiah and as I began the study I thought I could relate to a couple of the giants mentioned. Turns out each and every topic has been or is currently a giant in my life. No wonder God lead me to this study. He has some work to do in me.
As I read about the giants of anger and resentment I was taken back and humbled by a truth that I have never considered. Often I have justified both giants and completely overlooked what I have freely received and desired for myself…..grace.
The truth that was revealed to me was; I have forgotten the depths of the pit the Lord pulled me from when I refuse to offer the same grace to others. The study refers to that as a grace deficiency and goes on to say, that to experience His grace and forgiveness is to find that we have plenty of it for others.
When I keep a record of the wrongs done to me, I am witholding grace. When I let anger fester and turn into bitterness, I am withholding grace. When I allow resentment to move in, I am withholding grace.
Jesus said to love our enemies and to do go to those who spitefully use and persecute us. That means that we need to offer them the same amazing grace that we have received. Forgive so that we can be forgiven, then leave the rest up to God. He is far more capable of dealing with the issues than we will ever be.
When I think of the depths of my sin and the grace that it took to cover them, how can I not freely, often, and sincerely offer the same to others?