There's a obvious connection between receiving the grace of God – in all of it's unreasonableness – and in giving grace to others. If I see myself as nothing in myself, and everything through the work of Christ (He makes those things that are not as though they are.), I will see others the same way.
If I see myself as the one who has received mercy – mercy that I did not deserve, could not have earned, could not have bought – I will NOT be able to turn around and refuse to give that mercy to my brother. In fact the very idea would be uncomfortable; I am living simply on the life of another. I'm free because Someone went in my place. I am not worthy of it, I could not free myself from the crime and sin I was entangled in; I would be the same old, sinful person had Someone not exchanged His life for mine.
Can I really refuse that kind of grace to my brother? Am I any better than he is? Outside of the grace of God, I'm nothing. I'm false and full of sin to the core and nothing I can do will help that. I would be terrified to refuse the very grace I received, undeservingly, to my brother. Quoting from Matthew 18:32-35 “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you? And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
Following the same thought, I see Christ's heart clearly from Matthew 9:11-13 (also see parallel in Hosea 6:6) “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” Jesus was saying this as he listened to the pharisees talking about why Jesus – Jesus! - would sit at the table with tax collectors and sinners. Why would He defile Himself like that? Mercy, not sacrifice. Love, not hatred and disgust. His reply was quite startling, if you read through the Old Testament and levitical law.
Looking at mercy and undeserved grace, I turn to Romans 8:31-34 These verses are radical verses; I read them and weep to think of how we would live if we only lived out the Bible and weren't afraid of what might happen. “What then shall we say to these things? If GOD is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”
Wow. If we lived that way – if we saw each other as Christ sees us; If we judged as He does; if we loved like He loved/loves us, what a difference! We would see the power of God poured out on us! I can hardly imagine the freedom to live all-out, to serve, to love. The church would be built up; the Gospel would be spread by people who are reveling in God, and in His grace; people would see Christ by our lives, as we love one another; and the ultimate goal of life would be lived – God's name would be lifted up! Glorified! Honored! Made GREAT!!!
Oh God, wouldn't you do it?
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