Meet Others with Grace
Many parts of the Bible are difficult to understand. Scripture is deep, written by people from different cultures, in different time periods, by people that did life radically different than we do. Scholars of the Bible disagree on certain points, and they always will.
My soul is stilled knowing that there is only One that has pure truth. Not a scholar, a book, or any group of people. Pure truth only comes from One, and everyone else has a little bit of world in them.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
No doubt, parts of the Bible are difficult to understand; however, the core message of grace in Scripture is not debatable.
The Bible is a book of grace. Jesus brought grace. Jesus was grace. Jesus is grace. The personal recognition of grace on one’s life changes. Grace compels one to give grace.
It seems that grace should be a common cord that everyone welcomes and plays, but division still manifests. This is true today, and it was true when Jesus walked the earth.
On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.” Luke 5:17-26
The constant, consistent message of Jesus was grace. Grace to the paralyzed man in the story above. Grace to the woman at the well. Grace to the women caught in adultery. Grace to Peter. Grace to the thief on the cross next to him. Grace to you. Grace to me. Grace to all.
Jesus was definitely controversial, as he was forgiving sins, claiming to be God. But, it can’t be missed that he was performing miracles, bringing grace to the people. But, despite what Christ was teaching and doing, there were always those in the crowd that were cynical and negative with a motive of division. Cynicism overrode grace by many in the crowd.
The recognition of grace on one’s life drives grace for others. When I understand the deep grace that was given to me, I am compelled, motivated, without a shadow of doubt, to give grace to others. Grace is a foundation of Jesus. He offered grace freely.
Meet different points of view with grace. Understand with grace. Let grace guide speech, thoughts, and motives. Let grace be at the tip of my tongue today with myself, with my family, with my friends, with those I am around.
May I meet others with the grace that was given to me on the cross.
Impact others. Live generously.
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