PHOTO:...and smiling while you practice it????
The unfolding of grace displayed in my life is in direct proportion to the recognition of how it’s been appropriated to me by God.
But it also works in reverse.
If I actually practice grace when it is not deserved, I feel the debt relieved on behalf of the person who has practiced offense. I paid for their guilt by giving something they did not deserve.
This actual “knowing” or “sharing” in the suffering of Christ is the best way to understand payment on behalf of sin. It hurts. It smarts. We think, “They don’t deserve my grace!”
Eureka!
It’s only when we lift something beyond our strength that we understand it’s true weight.
Of course, we can’t pay for sins the way Jesus did. But we can obey His very hard commands that teach us to lend and not ask for repayment, turn the other cheek, be kind to the unthankful and evil, etc., etc.
The unfolding of grace in our lives is simply like walking a mile in the sandals of Christ…make that more like running a marathon.
PORTAL TO HEAVEN: Portals open up when we practice heaven’s grace. It’s as if Jesus says, “Become more like Me and you’ll begin to understand the extent of My love.”
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another…Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
John 13:34 NIV, Ephesians 4:32 NIV