We Don't Get Grace
Grace is a foreign concept to us because the world doesn’t operate based on grace. It trends towards criticism and judgment. Grace says, “I forgive you...I accept you as you are...I value you.”
The word forgiveness draws various reactions. If we’re talking about God’s forgiveness of us, it can be a soothing topic resulting in gratitude and peace. If we need to seek forgiveness from someone we’ve wronged, we might wrangle a bit with our pride before we finally approach that person in humility—but our resulting cleared conscience makes it well worth the effort.
Usually, however, the most uncomfortable kind of forgiveness is what we must extend to someone who has wronged us or hurt us deeply. The Bible says a lot about this kind of forgiveness—perhaps because our emotions arm wrestle with it and other lingering memories skirmish with it. It’s really hard to do.
Find out what God’s Word says about forgiveness, how essential it is to understand, and how to actually do it...if we want to grow in our walk with God.
Grace is a foreign concept to us because the world doesn’t operate based on grace. It trends towards criticism and judgment. Grace says, “I forgive you...I accept you as you are...I value you.”
Have you ever seen a dog reach the end of his leash? Once he does he comes straight to a halt. We all reach the end of our own figurative leashes with each other and with God at one point or another. The good news is God will always forgive us and always extend His grace to us, no matter what. We just need to accept it. Now shouldn’t we do the same with others?
Grace is undeserved. You can’t earn it, it’s free, and you can never pay God back. All you have to do is admit your need and receive God’s grace. That’s how a gift works—you simply accept it.
I’m wrong. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I love you. These 12 simple words can add a whole new dimension to your marriage. Humility is an attitude—of the heart and of the mind. It puts the other person first.
Darkness is just the absence of light. But isn’t it amazing that no matter how dark darkness may get... it can never extinguish the light? God is light, and no amount of darkness can obliterate that light.
Have you ever been given a gift you needed but didn’t want? We’ve all received disappointing gifts. But there are gifts, which never disappoint. They’re often unseen gifts like forgiveness, compassion, grace, understanding, and kindness. And they’re priceless.
Have you ever had an experience when circumstances were completely out of your control and there was nothing you could do…except trust God? When that happens it's a good reminder that God is the potter and we are the clay.
Pastor Chuck Swindoll dives into compelling scenes from the story of Joseph in Genesis 45 and 50. From a young age, Joseph faced hate, betrayal, cruelty, injustice, and abandonment from those closest to him.
A repentant spirit is rarely found in our litigious society. How seldom we say or hear the words, “I’m wrong. I am sorry.”
When you forgive someone, you free yourself. Forgiveness takes you out of the bondage of bitterness and you literally take out the trash that’s preventing you from enjoying all the blessings that God has in store for you.