Over the past week, I've been reminded to choose love and grace. And it's becoming a mantra for me as I struggle to choose the unnatural, "Choose love. Choose grace. You can never go wrong when you choose these things."
Because it isn't natural to choose these things. Sin makes it impossible for Love and Grace to reside in me naturally.
But Jesus.
Oh, how He changes the dark into light.
Exchanges sin for grace.
Death for Life.
Only because I've experienced His grace, can I actually give grace. You must receive first to understand the magnitude and be able to give to another.
Second chances.
Kind words.
Love when they don't deserve it...but when they need it most.
It's been said that you can "catch more flies with honey than vinegar." Maybe the same can be said for Love with a side of Grace?
Becky @ Our Peaceful Home
Wednesday 16th of March 2011
Well said. :)
Natalie at Mommy on Fire
Tuesday 15th of March 2011
Aren't those some succinct words of wisdom? I needed to read this today - esp. the part of "Love when they don't deserve it - but need it most."
Ouch. Convicting. I don't WANT to love that person but I know that's exactly what I'm supposed to do.
Beautiful, Sara!
Patty Patterson
Tuesday 15th of March 2011
A very good point! One thing that stands out to me when I think about "real love" is that love seeketh not her own from 1 Corinthians 13:5. It seems that everyone wants to have things their own way. And having your own way is not love. Love takes joy in seeing others get what they want. Love smiles when others are blessed. Love is more interested in giving than recieving.
And really, isn't that how we can truly find happiness. If we are able to rejoice any time any one around us is blessed our hearts will always be joyful.
Mrs. J.
Tuesday 15th of March 2011
More flies with honey than vinegar, it is interesting the idioms used to express our thoughts. As with Mary Magdalene she loved much because she was forgiven much. The forgiveness at the cross of Christ once felt deeply causes us to love much. Moreover, we also must understand the standard of God requires we also lift His standard up. There is a thing called tough love, Paul tells us the law to the proud. It is out of love and grace that we do not tolerate sin and that we do not appease it. Appeasement is not love; it is allowing the blind to walk towards the chasm of destruction. When God disciplines out of love it sometimes hurts, but it is to drive the sin nature to repentance. I did not understand this with my son and often allow behavior that was ungodly. In his teens, the rebellion was uncontrollable. With my daughter, I learned that grace and love at times means tough love, tough choices. It was hard for me to change but it made a world of difference in the raising of my daughter. Mrs. J.
Julie
Tuesday 15th of March 2011
I love reading these posts. You know just exactly what to say. Thank you for this post. It is good motivation and you inspire me to be a better Christian. I hope you have a wonderful day.