Grace

While driving in a parking lot recently, someone told me that my jeep has "fun" written all over it. The jeep is fun, but when I look at my jeep, I see "project" written all over it. It is amazing how different perspectives can be.

There is a vast difference in how we see ourselves and each other compared to how God see's us. We might describe ourselves, especially after studying the first part of Romans each Sunday, that we have "guilty" written all over us. In contrast, God see's the word "grace" written all over us. When we're honest with ourselves, what often comes to mind is our sins and failures. But when we come to faith in Jesus, it's as if God uses a huge eraser to get rid of the word "guilty." Then God writes in huge, permanent ink marker the word "grace." It is only by God's grace that we are saved, forgiven, cleansed, renewed, reclaimed and recreated in Christ Jesus. Yes our sins haunt us. We've let many people down. We've let ourselves down. But God's grace is bigger than any failure.

Is that really true? Will God really forgive all of our sins? We've done some rotten things, and sometimes we can be down right mean to one another. Our sins affect us deeply, and can hurt others even more. Sometimes, people use the hurt we cause them as an excuse to not trust God or others. Walls are built as safe havens, keeping God and people at a distance. Walls allow only a few select people in and keep others out. If someone were to break in, we would be quite upset. Forgiving ourselves and others is the first step to tearing down the walls we build. Finding God's grace for ourselves and others is not a fantasy, but a reality. For God's grace is a gift to all people. According to Ephesians 2.14 "Jesus is our peace, who has made the two one (complete opposites) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility." Because of Jesus the wall is torn down between us and God. Through Jesus peace is now possible. Though some may irk you, what if we could pass on the grace that God has given us?

What if we strived to be gracious to one another. Perhaps we should start at home with those closest to us. Then to neighbors and those we meet along the way each day. Perhaps it is picking up a piece of trash off of the floor in a store. Or holding the door open for someone. Or giving a warm greeting to each one you meet. Or not judging someone on the basis of their appearance. Or extending grace instead of anger when someone cuts us off on the highway. Or thinking the best of someone instead of the worst. Or not holding onto grudges, but instead offering forgiveness. Often what we think about affects our attitude which affects our behavior. If you want to express grace in your words and actions it begins in your heart and mind.

Grace is so contrary to the way of the world that some will take notice and wonder what is going on. Are they being "punked" or for the older generation, are they on "Candid Camera." If we live out God's grace, the world will take notice. I'm not talking about being religious. I am talking about being real. As a result, our lives will be quite different from the world around us.

Since believers are forgiven and have the word "grace" written all over us, wouldn't it be great if we could live up to how God see's us?