The caption in the meme below describes in a nutshell what Jesus sacrificed for us on the cross. Romans 5:8 reminds us that, “God demonstrated His [endless] love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Imagine for a moment; what if God did to us what we do to Him on a daily basis? I can assure you that it wouldn’t be pleasant. I believe this was one of the reasons Peter penned these words in I Peter 3:9, “Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing [humility, forgiveness and grace]. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you His blessing.”
I don’t know about you, but for me personally, learning to extend grace toward others and forgive unconditionally has been one of the most important lessons for me to consistently embrace.
I will submit to you that God is still teaching me this lesson. I often fall short in my relationships and responsibilities with my family or co-workers. However, the Spirit of conviction quickly comes in and reminds me to humbly ask for their forgiveness.
Likewise I must be forgiving to my wife, children and fellow staff when they fail. In the role of a leader I have endured some very difficult experiences that could have led to holding a grudge or developing a root of bitterness. These truths of showing humility and extending forgiveness and grace to others and not harboring a root of bitterness have preserved and protected me.
So for me, the choice is transparently clear, and extremely serious. I am determined not to fall short of extending the same grace God shows me to others and as for you reading this message today; I invite you to never forget that Christ forgave you far beyond what you deserve, and He also forgive others in the same way.
4GIVEN 