A Place of Grace III

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I alluded to part of my motivation for reflecting on grace in my blog last week when I mentioned speaking angrily to my children. It became very clear to me around Easter time that I wasn't treating my family graciously all the time and so our home/family is my primary arena for growth in this area right now. I really want our family/home to be "a place of grace".


As I considered the reoccuring incident of coming out of time alone with God and acting contrary to the grace I've received, I thought of the parable Jesus told of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35). In the parable a servant who has been forgiven a huge debt refuses to forgive a fellow servant a minor debt. This is unacceptable in the kingdom of God. Being a recipient of God's grace and mercy means we will extend it to others.


A place of grace is a place of forgiveness. Forgiveness is the "norm" and practiced over and over again, all the time. It is not that sin is ignored, denied, or made light of. No, it is acknowledged and forgiven. Whether this is done only in your heart or within the context of your relationship with the person, grace is extended because of the loving kindness we have experienced from God.
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

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