18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. (from 2 Corinthians 5)
This morning I was thinking about a post I put here back in December. It was about how good and pure and forgiving God really is and I believe it more and more each day.
Like I said in that post:
God has made a way for us to come back, and He's not keeping score of every little sin. It's finished. The hard part is getting our minds around that.
And in thinking on that and knowing that, I can more easily extend grace to the ones around me, including me. I find that my former very, very religious self would be extraordinarily harsh and unforgiving, always pointing out specks in eyes without seeing the heart (ask the Mr. about that one). My motives were honest enough, trying to save everyone around me, but I just didn't get it. God already forgives us and the only thing stopping the peace of that is us believing it.
A friend of mine once told me that my unbelief about His goodness was probably the worst sin. What father would give his son a stone or a scorpion?
I fail often, but I don't stay down because I finally know that God is love.
The best way I can explain it anymore is like the Apostle Paul said, running the race, not looking behind, pressing onward toward the goal and not trying to fix or re do or change anyone or anything else. I set my mind on what is good and right and just and praiseworthy and let the rest fall away. He provides my every need. I am more loving, more sharing, less worried about not having enough of anything, knowing that He can do anything!
In that way the Kingdom of God will spread in our own spirits, hearts, families, and communities. Until it is once realized fully, we can be there now, with Him in our hearts.
Peace!
Amen, love this post.
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise. I hope you have a good weekend.
Delete"my unbelief about His goodness"
ReplyDeleteThat speaks to me Ma.
I know what you mean. Jesus often tells the disciples they have no faith and is irritated by it. Which of course doesn't mean everything will always be super happy, but our names are written in Heaven:)
DeleteUndeserving of His mercy and His grace, I stand in awe at His goodness to me. My tongue continuing to move more than it should, angry bitterness creeps in where gentle forgiveness should reign, I am less forgiving and more critical and its still early in the day.
ReplyDeleteIf it were not for His mercy and His grace - oh LORD, what would I do.??.
Still early in the day! I can relate.
DeleteYou shared some really good insights with us. It is so hard not to judge, and God forgives us freely and always so we can do the same with others. It is hard though!
ReplyDeleteVery hard!
DeleteI read recently also that anyone that claims that love (unconditional) is easy, has never done it.
Deletehttp://theupsidedownworld.com/2013/07/09/unconditional-love-brings-death/
I recently read an awesome book - Give Them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick and I loved it and this post reminds me of it too. Well said.
ReplyDeleteI am trying to do that more (giving the kids grace). It is harder than it seems.
DeleteThe gospel message is clear. "Believe" in Jesus. Explaining that gospel in detail brings "Liberty" from sin because you then know the who, what, when, where, how and why to understand fully and experience God's love and mercy in His Plan of Salvation through Christ. What that cross really means. The magnitude of the gift of grace through faith. Glory.
ReplyDeleteI understand where you are coming from, Brian. I guess I just picked it apart too much.
Delete