Extension

Written by cycleguy on January 22nd, 2015

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It is easy to get jaded. We all know that. Take sports…professional especially. This past year was a bad one for all sports. Allegations of rape, cheating, spousal abuse, child abuse, drugs, arrogance, adulterous affairs, “coming out” and disunity are but a few. It is even worse when it involves someone in our community or someone we know.

It is especially hard to accept when the person calls themselves a follower of Christ and “blows it” big time. We sometimes forget they put their pants on the same way we all do. We sometimes forget they have feet of clay. We ought to be yelling, “Pedestal come down!”

Reality stinks sometimes. But even then those who fall require grace. The harsh truth is those of us who have received grace are to give grace as well. Years ago I heard someone say this:

Before it can happen through me it must happen to me.

No clue who said it, but it translates to this: Before I can show grace to others, grace must happen in me. Every Christ-follower has had experience with grace. We are saved by it. We are kept by it. But that doesn’t make life any easier. In Romans 6 Paul says some pretty straight on things. For example, in verse 16 he tells us how we live depends on the master we choose. J.B. Phillips puts it: “You belong to the power which you choose to obey.” Grace has freed us to obey Christ.

As I have been shown grace, I need to show grace. Sort of like if I have been forgiven, I need to forgive. (Matthew 18)

Sunday’s message is on extending grace to others. I’d like to encourage you to do so, just as I will be doing in the message. Appreciate your prayers.

 

17 Comments so far ↓

  1. Betty Draper says:

    The enemy of your soul hates grace messages but then he is a loser, a liar and bound for the pit. You are bound for heaven so let it rip for the glory of God.

  2. Daniel says:

    I will be praying for you tomorrow morning during my devotional time.

    Showing grace is awfully hard for me sometimes. My mind seems to war against itself. What I know I should do as a Christ-follower always seems fully opposed to my true nature.

    • cycleguy says:

      Thanks for your prayers Daniel. Some people have a harder time, some of it depending on personality, mindset, etc. You simply show the battle Paul talks about in Romans 7.

  3. floyd says:

    Good reminder, Bill. I like that adage. The words of Christ came to mind as I read your post; “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone…” and they all walked away…

    Amazing how often we need to be reminded in this weak flesh.

    Praying for you, brother.

  4. We have been given much love and power to heal others through God’s amazing grace. May it always be the focus of our hearts and intentions.
    Praying for you, Bill!

    • cycleguy says:

      I think we forget the power that is in our words and actions, especially when we extend grace to those who need it but maybe don’t even know it.

  5. Yes, yes. Grace that is greater than all our sins …

    Preach it, brother!

  6. willhill says:

    I think sometimes the reason I find it so hard to understand grace is that its not something I learned growing up, nor is it something I read in a book, but it is the result of an experience I enjoyed when I accepted Christ into my life. And for the times I have extended the grace I received to others I have noticed it releases the power of God to work in their lives. God help me to not be so judgemental of others.

    • cycleguy says:

      I did not grow up with it either Paul so it took me awhile to understand it as a vital part of my faith. I really had no clue about it. You are right about one thing though: as we show grace it does release God’s power in their lives. I will pray that prayer with you.

  7. the Old Adam says:

    The Grace of God is there for us even when we don’t obey. After all…who really obeys?

    There’s a huge difference between the obedience to the law (the things we must do)…and the obedience to faith.

    Christians live in the obedience to faith.

    This place the complete onus on Christ and what He has done for sinners…and it takes it completely out of our hands.

    I mean, if we still had something to do with it…it really wouldn’t be ‘good news’…would it?

  8. Ceil says:

    Hi Bill! I hope your sermon went well today. We all need to be reminded that we are vessels of grace to each other. God does give, but he graciously gives us a role in spreading it. We can’t keep it all to ourselves!

    I don’t think it’s truly grace until we use it. Until then, it’s just potential. Let’s get to the giving!
    Sunday blessings,
    Ceil

  9. I taught from 1 John 2, and I was struck with a similar message. John talks about how a relationship with God in us should produce love in us for our neighbors. John hints that that should be the defining characteristic of our lives. He echoes, of course, Jesus’s words on this – but it was convicting to think of.