Have You Seen Grace?
I once told a man that the greatest disappointment of my Christian life was that I had never seen Jesus’ recipe for reconciliation among brothers work. You know, the one where you go to someone and make things right. By that, I further explained, I meant in serious situations. Now, I’ve seen a lot of minor things happen when folks apologize and go on their ways, but that’s not what I’m talking about. That statement, made over twenty years ago, holds true even today. I yearn to see men and women with serious issues between them forgive biblically and hold no ill will. I don’t want to read about it- I want to see it.
On that day, my friend told me, “Jesus didn’t say, ‘Do it because it works.’ He said, ‘Do it.’” I get that. I understand that there are a great many things we do out of obedience whether they pan out as expected or in our favor. To think that obeying a biblical directive trumps free will may be presumptuous. Still, I’d like to see grace. Scripture tells us that people were amazed at the gracious words of Jesus. If you know Him, you have seen grace in Him. I just want to see it in His followers as the Bible says should be. As I have observed its lack in others, I have felt its lack in myself and felt it with great pain.
I really believe that a lot of the forgiveness we see today is false. It’s fakey- not real. It’s not heartfelt or genuine. Don’t understand me to say that I’ve never seen any forgiveness at all. I have seen some true reconciliation, but, more often, I’ve just seen folks get mad and stay mad with fair words as covering. “I forgive you. Now, get on your horse and ride on outta here.” And people just don’t forgive when a serious issue is at stake. If they did, they would act differently. This, in spite of the fact that Jesus hammered on this very point all the time. A great issue in the judgment will be our attitude in forgiveness.
An offended person goes to an offender with a broken heart and the goal of reconciliation, and it works. A hurting person is willing to stand and confess faults to a loving group of friends who forgive and support in turn. Christ-followers rally around a fallen colleague because they identify with his weakness and pain. All of these are done in the name of Jesus who forgives all sins and heals all wounds, and all of these are manifestations of grace. These things are biblical and what I long to see active in normal Christianity. Occasionally, I see grace out of the corner of my eye. I just wish she’d come around more often.
Grace is not gutless, but only true grace will facilitate real repentance. God’s goodness leads us to Him, and goodness will bind us to one another if we are kind. Sadly, fewer show true grace than can do the Teaberry Shuffle. It’s hard to be good at anything without practice, and it may take time to learn the correct application of truth and perseverance, but it will be worth it after while. Grace taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved. It does the same for everyone under its sway. Sightings are rare, but I hope to dispense grace and see it given in my life and in my church. I am anxiously awaiting the next time grace shows up.
Sterl
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