Grace Upon Grace

^"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

In my personal life I am reading a book about God's grace. It is a study on how to recognize and receive God's grace and then how to also apply it in your own life. As is normally the case, the more I look for grace the more I see it in my own life. I am quite certain it has always been there, waning and waxing in differing amounts, as needed, but because my eyes have been opened I am seeing the evidence of grace a bit more clearly. One of those ways has been through the people God has placed in my life. I consider myself deeply blessed to have the inner circle that I have. If Christ's church is the body then we should be in the business of making sure our body stays healthy.  

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." 1 Thess. 5:11

And while that sounds well and good, sometimes it isn't. This week I have had the pleasure and pain of accountability and grace. And what I have come to realize is that these two things go hand in hand. On the one hand I was able to speak my conviction to a friend who received the information in love and extended grace to me in my time of need. There was no lecture, or condemnation, just a reminder to dwell in the Spirit.

^"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." James 5:16

And this act blessed my spirit because of the relief I felt at being forgiven and finding mercy where it was not required. But on the other hand, I spoke to another friend about a complaint, feeling that I was just in my concerns and aggravations. This friend listened, and then spoke the truth. It was a truth I had not wanted to hear, one that ultimately broke me and made me cry. But, it was a truth that I needed to hear. It took me somewhat longer to feel appreciative of this message and blessed by the giver.

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:1-2

Obviously, it feels better to offer mercy and forgiveness. That is a role that we, as Christians, should look forward to fulfilling. This is the role that sets us apart from other people in this world. We forgive, because we have had the ultimate forgiveness shown to us. We allow grace for wrongdoings, because God the Father was gracious in His love and kindness to us. And while showing grace and mercy and forgiveness may be hard to do, it nearly always feels like the right thing.

It is that other act that is the harder pill to swallow. Speaking harsh truths hardly ever feels good and it is not an act that we should enjoy doing. However, it is equally as important to the spiritual life of the believer. Sometimes we can not see the log in our own eye. At times, we are blind to the sin that so easily entangles us. And occasionally, we choose to not see the obviously dark path that we have stumbled upon. It is in those times that we need to be reminded of the truth, gently and in love.

^"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works..." Hebrews 10:24-25

It may not feel great to speak this truth and it certainly will not feel great to hear it. But this is true love. This is how other people will know that we are  Christians, by our love for each other.

"Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses." Proverbs 27:6

If you consider yourself a believer, then you have an obligation to love others, especially the Body of Christ. If you also consider yourself a friend, then you have an obligation to walk beside your brothers and sisters and spur them on to "love and good works". I encourage you to pray throughout your day and think on the people in your life. Ask God how you can show grace and mercy to those He has placed around you. Think about those that you know who are caught up in bad habits, who are chasing after false gods and believing empty promises. Ask God how you can speak the truth to them today, in boldness and in love. Let God use you to show someone else a little more about His love and character.