Growing Together in Grace

In several contexts lately I have felt the real tension of living in a world of different values and viewpoints on everything from religion and politics to marriage and parenting. At times we remain silent when we should speak up. At other times we become so fired up our dogmatism sinfully overrules.  We often care more about being heard than seeking to understand, and being “right” matters more than loving others.

We all know it’s not easy to love others who are different than us, and especially not easy to extend love to those with opposing views to ours.  But as believers, we are commanded to “love thy neighbor – (that means EVERYONE) – as ourselves.” Certainly a tall order; one we cannot keep.

All it takes is a quick examination of my heart to see how I fail to measure up.  Harbored bitterness, resentment, pride, indignation, spewed gossip – it’s all in there. I easily forget my neighbors are fellow image bearers of Christ and in the same boat of sinners as me!

Seeing this about myself makes what Jesus did even more incredible. I can’t even fathom loving everyone perfectly in the way Jesus did, especially considering the way others treated him! What’s even more amazing: as a believer in Christ, God views me as the one who loves my neighbors perfectly according to Jesus’ record given to me!

I don’t know about you, but when I see all of my sin met by his grace, my love of who Jesus is for me expands, and my desire to give grace and compassion grows.  This is the transformational power of the gospel and why we need to hear the gospel message of his perfect work in life and in death all the time. God’s goodness to the guity is what grace is.

Imagine if we lived according to this grace! How different our neighborhoods, schools, social groups and even churches would look.

By starting with the assumption we are all guilty in desperate need of forgiveness, it would change how we look at one another. Seeing we are all in the same boat and admitting we are needy is the great equalizer. Perhaps with this foundation, instead of drawing quick judgments and creating false narratives, automatically pitting us against one another as enemies, we would seek to understand one another. We would be willing to let our guard down, be vulnerable and have honest dialogue without taking offense.

And instead of approaching neighbors with different viewpoints, and ways of doing things as if it is our job to make them believe/think/do as we do, we would see our self-righteousness and pride and befriend them.  After all, a life that experiences grace realizes the law has no power to accomplish what it demands. But grace, grace is different.

By his grace we were forgiven when we were undeserving and unrepentant. By his grace, we know how great his love is for us even when we fail. By his grace, we are free to confess our sins without fear of rejection. By his grace, we can extend this same love, grace and compassion to others. By his grace, I will live more like this.

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35