Kingdom ComeSample

PRAYER:

God, when I am tempted to withhold grace from others, remind me of the grace you willingly extend to me. 

READING:

When we read the parable in Luke 15, it’s tempting to write off the older brother as an extreme example of arrogance and self-righteousness—someone we simply can’t identify with. But if we do that, we end up missing an important truth: We all have some “older brother” in us.

If you take a closer look at the older brother, you may find his reaction is not so extreme after all. The anger he feels is ultimately about fairness. He believes it’s simply not fair for his father to treat his brother the same way he treats him. Honestly, he has a point. Doesn’t it seem like he deserves more than his brother? Hasn’t his obedience and consistency earned him more?

We often look at God’s offer of undeserved grace as purely positive. But sometimes, when we see it played out in our real lives and relationships, grace can be a stumbling block. If we allow comparison to sneak in, grace presents us with a very real problem. It’s not fair. 

How is it fair for God to overlook someone's sin, especially if we’re the ones who are hurt by it? Paul addresses this tension directly in his letter to the Christians in Rome. 

God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

—Romans 3:25–26

How can God be both “just” and “the one who justifies” those who have sinned? Is he brushing sin under the rug like it never happened? Does that mean he doesn’t take sin seriously?

It seems like a contradiction, and it is, unless there is more to the story—unless there is some way the price of the sin can be paid without having to extract it from the one who sinned. Paul writes that Jesus is our “sacrifice of atonement”—the sacrifice that paid the price for our right standing with God. 

Jesus is the answer to the problem that grace presents. Through Jesus, God can be “the one who justifies” while also remaining “just” as the one who is consistent in delivering the consequences of sin.

So, when you feel tempted to withhold grace or forgiveness from someone because they don't deserve it, remember that Jesus doesn’t come to us saying, “I love you because you’re perfect.” Instead, he comes to us in our shortcomings and says, “I love you just as you are, and I will pay the price to make you perfect.” God did not settle for fair in his relationship with you; he paid the price willingly. When it comes to our relationship with God, we don’t need fair—we need grace. As those who have received something so precious, we should be first in line to extend grace to others.

REFLECTION:

 Take your time and journal through the following questions:

• Where have you been withholding grace? Is there a circumstance or person that comes to mind? Why does it feel so difficult to extend grace in this situation?

• Is there anyone in your life who you believe is outside the reach of grace? What would it look like for you to bring the person and situation before the Father and ask for his heart of grace to be formed in you?

Once you’ve had an opportunity to answer the above questions, find a quiet place to sit and be still for a few moments with Jesus. As you become still, hold out your hands in clenched fists, facing down. Picture the Father embracing the person who has hurt you. If you feel tension rising, allow your fists to clench harder. Stay there for a little while if you need to. When you’re ready, take a deep breath and ask God to give you his heart for this person. Turn your fists over, palms up. Relax and breath deeply as you open your hands and release them to the Father. 

If you are not ready to let go of the tension, allow this exercise to be a heartfelt prayer that God would help you move in that direction.