showing grace
With the huge relief we've been given we are bound to want to share it. And we are encouraged to. Unlike the illustration I gave yesterday, Jesus' sacrifice was for everyone. Anyone willing to accept the gift - anyone willing to admit they need it - can have it.
How do you act when you are stressed? We often tend to treat others poorly. We are short fused. We take our stress out on them. The opposite is often true as well. We are much more willing to forgive others and love others if we feel that same love and forgiveness.
At taekwondo, when we call a kid forward to tell their parents something (usually they need to get rid of a bad habit), we have them say, "hi mom. Hi dad. I love you!" It's a little silly and embarrassing -- but for some kids it comes easily. Others refuse to say it.
Studies have shown that kids who hear their parents, especially the father, express love for each other, express it more readily in their lives as well. In my house I definitely saw this."I love you" were not often spoken words. I've had to make an effort to correct this in my life and it was really awkward at first.
All this to say, if we see love demonstrated, and we feel loved -- we will give it as well.
Jesus showed ultimate love to us. That should have an effect. That's why those who claim Christ, yet show no "fruit," who aren't really any different than before....well it's quite possible they are missing something.
Jesus mentions many times, if you love me than ____. He knows there should be results from that love, not just words. And he wants to make sure we realize that.
Our love should inspire grace. Just as God showed us grace out of his love for us, we should do the same for others, but not out of love for them -- out of love for God.
When we see that God loves us enough to die for us, we must realize that the people we encounter daily are his precious treasures. He died for them too. If we want to show God we love him - we should love what he loves.
Showing grace doesn't mean we must allow others to walk all over us. But sometimes it might include that. It should be our choice. Just as Jesus chose to kneel and wash the feet of his disciples, we should choose to serve others.
Often we might serve others best by helping them do hard things. Parents know this. Your child will never grow or develop if you simply cater to their every whim and demand. Instead you must allow them to be challenged. To work through difficult circumstances. And to comfort them when they fail.
God does this with us, doesn't he? He's given us grace, but life can still be tough. We know we can depend on him, but things might still be challenging. But even if we don't succeed, he comforts us and helps us grow.
Grace is beautiful and comforting. It is a reminder of God's love. We should do our best to paint it everywhere. But it doesn't mean life is easy. Lets keep that in mind as we walk alongside each other. We will have rough days, but we can use grace to make things a little bit brighter.
How do you act when you are stressed? We often tend to treat others poorly. We are short fused. We take our stress out on them. The opposite is often true as well. We are much more willing to forgive others and love others if we feel that same love and forgiveness.
At taekwondo, when we call a kid forward to tell their parents something (usually they need to get rid of a bad habit), we have them say, "hi mom. Hi dad. I love you!" It's a little silly and embarrassing -- but for some kids it comes easily. Others refuse to say it.
Studies have shown that kids who hear their parents, especially the father, express love for each other, express it more readily in their lives as well. In my house I definitely saw this."I love you" were not often spoken words. I've had to make an effort to correct this in my life and it was really awkward at first.
All this to say, if we see love demonstrated, and we feel loved -- we will give it as well.
Jesus showed ultimate love to us. That should have an effect. That's why those who claim Christ, yet show no "fruit," who aren't really any different than before....well it's quite possible they are missing something.
Jesus mentions many times, if you love me than ____. He knows there should be results from that love, not just words. And he wants to make sure we realize that.
Our love should inspire grace. Just as God showed us grace out of his love for us, we should do the same for others, but not out of love for them -- out of love for God.
When we see that God loves us enough to die for us, we must realize that the people we encounter daily are his precious treasures. He died for them too. If we want to show God we love him - we should love what he loves.
Showing grace doesn't mean we must allow others to walk all over us. But sometimes it might include that. It should be our choice. Just as Jesus chose to kneel and wash the feet of his disciples, we should choose to serve others.
Often we might serve others best by helping them do hard things. Parents know this. Your child will never grow or develop if you simply cater to their every whim and demand. Instead you must allow them to be challenged. To work through difficult circumstances. And to comfort them when they fail.
God does this with us, doesn't he? He's given us grace, but life can still be tough. We know we can depend on him, but things might still be challenging. But even if we don't succeed, he comforts us and helps us grow.
Grace is beautiful and comforting. It is a reminder of God's love. We should do our best to paint it everywhere. But it doesn't mean life is easy. Lets keep that in mind as we walk alongside each other. We will have rough days, but we can use grace to make things a little bit brighter.
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