I spend a lot of time thinking about grace, asking for grace, and thanking God for grace because I know that I need it. I also know that I am not always quick to give it. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:12-13). How much more full would our churches be? How much more quickly would our children come to us for help in times of trouble? How much more open and honest would our relationships be?
Yes, I know pain is real. Emotions are sometimes raw. I also know that our time here, our problems here are temporary. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). God intends for us to spend eternity with Him and Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us that He has also set eternity in the human heart. So from an eternal viewpoint, can’t we extend more grace? Can’t we be more compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient? Shouldn’t we be able to bear with each other and forgive as the Lord forgave us?
No, we’re not always going to get it right. But that should not stop us from making the effort and earnestly striving toward always getting it right, or most importantly, loving one another.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for setting eternity in our hearts. Thank You that as believers, we get to spend eternity with You. Please help us remember how much You have shown grace and have forgiven us so that we may show grace and forgive others. We love You. We trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I Will Cling 