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Cultivating an Atmosphere of Grace
Galatians 6:1-5… The letter written to the churches in Galatia addresses how vigorously believers should hold the message of the Cross of Jesus and the Grace of God. “Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.” (The Message)
God has called us to grace! Freely you have received freely you should give! If you are a partaker of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), then you have no excuse. Wherever you are, grace should be abounding – with no exception.
In order to cultivate an “atmosphere of grace” there needs to be:
1. A desire to see restoration. You have to provide a way forward out of failure – this is why Jesus came!
No matter what that person may have done you, must genuinely desire to see them restored. Furthermore, you should make a way for this to take place.
2. A willingness to treat those that are bruised with tenderness. To anyone who’s been crushed, it hurts enough, even when people are sympathetic. A broken bone has to be set. And it will still hurt even when it is done as gently as possible. So don’t go beyond that person’s pain threshold, as it can be cruel.
3. A realisation of your own humanity. We can see things different ways and still both be wrong. Therefore, you must always consider your own inclination to do wrong. Are you without fault, and able to cast the first stone?
4. An understanding that by bearing the burdens of others you are loving them. This is the core of the message of the Cross. In entering into someone else’s pain, we are able to experience the sacrificial element of the love of Christ. The power to bear another’s burden comes out of a heart of true compassion. To do it for the approval and admiration from others is religion. To do it because you really care is Christianity.
5. An understanding that pride serves to build a web of deception. It’s what we don’t see, and that others do see, that can become the pond that we drown in. The funny thing about pride is that the person is usually unaware that they are deceiving themselves.
6. An acceptance of responsibility. Each one of us is responsible for what we are supposed to do - so we should do it! Practical stuff — throw away your own trash, flush your own toilet, put your own clothes in the cupboard, put your own dish in the dishwasher. In church — help with the children, help with set up, use your gift, use your elbow grease (and your hands and feet). Simply, get on with it!
7. A giving heart and attitude. Our gifts from God’s heart of Grace. The heart of this is about appreciation. I receive from you and I want to bless you. It is in the reciprocal atmosphere of giving and receiving that grace abounds. It is driven by a "What can I give” mentality? As opposed to a "What can I get” mentality?"
8. A sober understanding that there will always be a consequence for right or wrong choices and actions. You will reap what you sow. The seed you plant will determine what you’ll have to deal with later on. Bad choices are costly!
9. An internal surrender to be led by the Holy Spirit. It is those things truly birthed by the Spirit of God and those things already established in the Spirit of God that sets you on the right course. And keeps you there!
10. A climate of family love.
- We are family
- This is your house
- These are your chairs
- These are your brothers and sisters
A family stays on course because they learn how to love and forgive in good and bad times. This takes grace. We can have a secular mentality that says, "You messed up, move away." or "You messed up, come here and let me help." Which is the true heart of family. The Father welcomes the repentant son and lets him know he is still family. This is what a house that’s built on grace looks like
In the story of the prodigal son the eldest brother could easily receive grace for himself, but found it impossible to extend grace to his brother. Hadn’t his brother suffered enough? Hadn’t he and his father suffered enough? Why couldn’t he enter into the joy that his father was experiencing? I tell you why… He did not understand grace! |
Chris Demetriou, 08/03/2009 |
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