08/07/2024
Our selfish hearts, often more committed to our kingdom purposes than His, want the lavish riches of grace for ourselves, but do not want to have to make sacrifices of grace for others. We see this in the self-righteous anger of a parent, in the bitter unforgiveness of a spouse, in the dysfunctional bickering between neighbors, in the divisions of the body of Christ, or in our unfaithfulness in our relationships. The war of kingdoms rages in our hearts, and one of the first casualties is mercy. It is sad but true--our refusal to give grace to others reveals how much we still need grace ourselves. Our failure to forgive shows how much we still need God's moment-by-moment forgiveness. The weakness in our love demonstrates how much our hope still rests on a God who will love us even on our very worst day. Struggles to live the gospel in our relationships with others picture how much we need the rich gospel ourselves. And it all argues that we still don't deserve the favor that we are given daily and are called to give to others who are as undeserving as we are.
For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. ~ Matthew 6: 14-15
Pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure--pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return. ~ Luke 6:37-38