As They Are

It’s easy to come up with ways other people could change for the better, isn’t it? If she could keep a secret. If he would stop bragging about his possessions. It’s not difficult to fall into the habit of noticing the sins and flaws of those around us. The more we let our thoughts stray in that direction, the more encompassing they will become. Soon we realize that we only notice the improvements that people should obviously make in their lives. What started out as an observation quickly turns into a judgment.

Scripture reminds us to accept one another as Christ accepted each of us. Broken, imperfect, and sinful, Jesus loves us just as we are. He does not have a list of requirements that we must meet in order to be accepted or loved. He sees us clearly and accepts us, flaws and all. It is a privilege to love others in the same way that Christ has loved us. We have the opportunity to shower love on those around us, not looking at them with eyes of judgment but full of Grace and kindness.

It’s clear that everyone has room to improve. The truth is that no matter how much we change for the better or worse, our acceptance in Christ does not waver. It is not our skills or abilities that make us worthy of the Gospel. There is no amount of work that we can depend on to give us the belonging or satisfaction found in trusting Christ’s Work on the Cross. It is only His Sacrifice that qualifies us. We must keep this Message alive in our hearts consistently and seek to offer everyone around us the same acceptance and Grace. We bring Glory to God when we love others as they are despite their flaws.

Sometimes we struggle to be gracious toward a gossipy friend or a neighbor with a bit too much braggadocio. It’s even more challenging to extend Grace to the addict on the corner or the shockingly rude customer on the phone. How about that politician that gets under your skin? We all have lines that feel impossible to cross. Yet this is the point of Grace. God’s undeserved favor does not have lines or disqualifying factors. There is no sin that is too dark for His Redemptive Power. Impossible as it seems in our own strength, we can extend Grace to those around us because of what Jesus has already done for us.