Do we recognize grace from God?
It’s a simple question but for some it’s complicated.
When we read verses like Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” NIV
Do we understand the true need for grace in our life because we are sinners before a holy God and in Christ we are forgiven and because of that forgiveness that we have received we are to extend grace to those who have hurt us?
We all love to be forgiven by God but we tend to not forgive those who have “trespassed” against us (Matthew 6:12) because the offense against us is so great in our own eyes. Everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) even pastors. We all have sinned and made mistakes, we all say and do things that hurt others, we all need grace.
And yet, this simple truth escapes us. It is like our hate or dislike for others trumps God’s command to forgive. I often reflect on Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” NIV I get angry at others who have hurt me through the years, and when I want God to dole out justice on my behalf I forget that in Christ I am forgiven for my sin debt. I have the Old Testament temperament of Jonah. I know God is a loving and merciful God - because He has been that way to me - and yet I still want to climb up on the hill and watch the city burn.
One of the harmful lessons I have learned in the pastorate is that I am not allowed to sin or make mistakes and when I do I’m expected to make it right immediately of face the wrath firing squad. But, when others sin against me or my family we’re just expected to take it. Like I said I have the temperament of Jonah. I confess this, sometimes daily because I want to honor God and His Word. Being in the pastorate is like being a punching bag, you get everyone’s best shot: you’re the reason people leave the church, you’re the reason why the church isn’t growing, you’re the reason why people get offended by a sermon, you’re the reason why family members won’t come to church, you’re the subject of slander and gossip, and the list can go on. Blow after blow, punch after punch, hurt after hurt. It seems/feels like we aren’t allowed to receive grace from others because the standard has been set for us to be perfect and yet the same standard applies to everyone who confesses Christ as Lord.
That’s why we need grace.
I can relate to the above picture, can you? But what are we going to do about it? Go to Jesus and ask for forgiveness but withhold that same forgiveness? Is our hubris so blinding that we cannot allow grace for others? Does that grudge feel so good that you’d rather have that than to forgive your neighbor? Is an examination required?
I write about forgiveness and talk about forgiveness a lot because we live in a society of anger. That anger carries over into the church and is not dealt with Scripturally. We’d rather “sweep it under the rug” or “go along to get along” but all that does is allow hurt and anger to fester like an open wound because that is what it is. We are wounded and instead of running to Christ for all we run to Christ for ourselves and cry and exclaim “See! Look!”. I know because I’ve done it.
How do you give grace?
I named this blog: A Pastors Life - An Honest Look Behind the Pulpit for a reason. I want to be authentic, I want to be real. The problem is that so many churches do not desire this. We put up walls and dig moats around our churches and only lower the drawbridge for the people we like and sow division to further thin the herd.
Do we recognize grace?
We all need grace. Especially me.1
Have a blessed weekend,
Scott
Several times I mention that I need grace and need to give grace and yet I know that someone will read this and still find a way to twist my words.
Hurt people hurt people. It is a sad truth but I know none more necessary for life in the body. The funny thing is that the more we actually do our job and bring in the worst sinners with the greatest promises of absolute freedom and grace; the more damaged and broken and needy people we find ourselves surrounded with and the more they take shots at us. And the more that we take shots at them. I don't know the words to write this without 'us' and 'them' but we really are all the same. Just hungry needy people, scared that by the time we get to the front of the line there won't be enough for us.
So, if the guy with the spoon gives a good portion to somebody else we cuss at him. There are no bottomless tubs of free food in the world that we live most of our lives in and we just can't psychologically bring ourselves to believe that in Christ there is no scarcity, no need for our competitive back biting. 'Freely you have received, freely give' just rolls off the tongue but He might as well have commanded us to grow another arm or to jump to the moon. Father forgive us for being useless and stupid.
I'm sorry that you are getting beat up Scott. The only comfort I know is that you are being treated like the prophets and apostles. Makes sense. The mob sorta looks like they have had a lot of practice.