Matthew 5:43-45 NKJV — “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
God gives us direction in His Word for life and how to live.
Here He instructs us on how to love and give grace.
It’s like the rain, it should fall on everyone.
God makes it clear, we are to remember His grace for us and to extend it to others.
Psalm 145:9 KJV — The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
Of course, like all things God calls us to do, it comes with wisdom and discernment.
Matthew 7:6 NKJV — “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
Therefore, while walking in God’s grace and mercy, we treasure it for what it is, not trampling or shredding the priceless gift of God: salvation through Jesus Christ.
We also have the privilege to extend the same grace we enjoy to those around us, not exposing others or ourselves to evil and passing it off as good, but instead calling out evil and loving the sinner whose life is being strangled by that same evil.
Because true love, as exampled in Christ Jesus, reaches out to the sinner.
Romans 5:8 KJV — But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Talk about amazing, costly grace!
Jesus paid a high price to extend it to us.
For those of us who enjoy this grace, may we be quick to share it.
God’s grace showered upon us is truly a wonderful blessing.
John 1:17 KJV — For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You so much for Your awesome gift of grace and mercy. How small is my understanding of what a costly gift it is, but I humbly thank You for it. Lord Jesus, please help me to remain humble before You and to remember that mankind does not see the heart, only You can. It is against the pride ridden nature of my sinful heart to want to extend grace to others, but You call me to love the same as You do. Please, Lord, help me to walk in this and continue to teach my heart Your ways. Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness and love. Thank You for this new day in which to learn more about loving as You do. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
patientlyhopeful 