Monday, November 4, 2013

The Ministry of Grace


“Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”-Acts 15: 10-11

I have met many angry people in my life. Unfortunately, many of those angry people have been individuals who claim to have a relationship with Jesus. I am not saying they did or didn’t have a relationship with Jesus, but I am saying it was hard to tell.

The majority of the time I experienced the anger from any of these individuals, Christian or not, was due to someone either not doing something right or to their liking. They felt wronged in some way or felt like they could have done something better. It all boils down the inability to give grace.

I don’t blame people who don’t claim to have a relationship with Jesus for their lack of grace, but people who do lay claim to being a Jesus follower, you better recognize (as the kids say)! You see, we who claim to know Jesus, know grace. We know that we have a Savior who has stepped in our place and has given us freedom in our fault. He has shown us how to love and accept, even when we don’t do something right or wrong Him.

Why is it so hard for us to do the same? We find fault in a waiter who is trying their hardest to serve 5 different tables and remember all their drinks, but can’t get us our refill on time. We get irritated when the checkout line is moving to slow because a lady chooses to write a check in the cash only line. The list can go on and on. Our grace is limited, but we have accepted unlimited grace. Is that fair?

This is why giving grace is a ministry in itself. People are used to angry individuals, especially Christians lashing out over issues that, in the grand scheme of things, mean very little. It is always great to see someone’s face light up when you express to them “It’s alright. I am thirsty, but I know you have others besides me to take care of.” A smiling gesture of grace goes a long way.

As a follower of Christ, we must be the first to extend grace to everyone and anyone. If we fail to do so, we must be humble enough to admit we were wrong. Giving grace is a ministry and brings glory to the One who showed us how to do it. If we have accepted His undying and unlimited grace, then we must give the same.

The act of showing grace is the act of acknowledging we are no greater than another human. None of us deserved the grace of Christ, but we received it because He gave it, and that was the purpose of His ministry.

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