Living ReconciledSample

Day Six: Courageous Attitude 6—You Have Stopped Counting

If we try, each of us can remember injustices that have been aimed toward us. If we dwell on these injustices, we will end up in hatred or plotting revenge against someone else. Hate will destroy your life far more than it will destroy your opponent’s life. To hate is to direct ill will toward another person in words or in conduct. Hate truly is the opposite of love.

The sixth attitude for reconciliation will take full reliance on the Holy Spirit to accomplish. This courageous attitude is you have stopped counting. Take a deep breath. This is a challenging concept, but do not stop your pursuit of reconciliation. You can truly be reconciled, and ceasing to count is critical to that end. It will take time but it is a wise and humble investment. God gives you and me the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish all He has called us to do—including stopping counting. 

So where do we find the strength to do what seems impossible? Christ is our example. The most important truth, the priority, is that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. “God was in Christ reconciling” is one of the most amazing aspects of the gospel. Let those words sink into your heart and understanding. Reconciling you to Himself through His Son’s death on a cross. He sought reconciliation for our benefit. He desires reconciliation and unity for the body of Christ. 

God has committed to us the word of reconciliation. He has committed us to letting others know that Jesus died for them and rose again and that they may have new lives—in short, the gospel message. He has also placed on us the privilege to actively demonstrate the gospel in our relationships. He has given us a responsibility to partake in this world’s reconciliation by our example of love and forgiveness toward one another.

As followers of Jesus, we need to be responsible with what has been committed to us. We can trust Christ to keep count of any wrong we have faced. His reconciliation is complete and covers all injustice. We can responsibly demonstrate grace that operates through kindness toward those who have wrongly treated us. We can freely bestow grace on others. Why? Because our goal is not to be right and vindicated. Our goal is to demonstrate the gospel.

What role can grace take in your self-talk or internal thinking? How might you apply mercy both to yourself and to those you have conflict with?