Be Kind, Generous and Forgiving Toward Everyone Today
This is Part Two of my blog series on the four rules of life I’ve established for myself to give teeth to the phrase, making God look good.
Some words wear out – even some words in the Bible.
It’s not that they’re wrong. The Bible uses them. But it may be that certain words have become so familiar they’ve lost their original meaning – like billboards we’ve seen so often, we no longer even think about its message.
The word grace, or to be gracious is one of those wonderful words which has worn out – but it shouldn’t. The term “means of grace” is interpreted differently by various denominations when they’re describing baptism, communion and salvational grace. But there’s one use of that term on which all Christians agree.
God gives us good things we don’t deserve which we have the privilege and obligation to pass on to others. This too is part of the good news – the gospel. That’s why Peter writes that all of us, “should use whatever (grace) gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administrating (dispensing) God’s grace in its various forms.” I Peter 4:10 (parenthetical note, mine)
Be a Grace Dispenser
The 10 second rule is a reminder to dispense, or give out what we’ve so generously received from God to others. So, when I say a kind word, I’m passing on the kindness Jesus has shown me. When I forgive, I’m passing on the forgiveness I’ve been given in Christ Jesus and from Christ Jesus. When I give money, which Jesus has deposited with me, I am the means of grace Jesus chooses to work through, to actually pass dollar bills or checks to another person. You and I are stewards of God’s grace. The reason Jesus uses us is to distribute it, because he’s not physically present anymore on earth – or is he…?
“But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.” Romans 8:10. We are Jesus’ stand-in!
Some words wear out – even some words in the Bible.
It’s not that they’re wrong. The Bible uses them. But it may be that certain words have become so familiar they’ve lost their original meaning – like billboards we’ve seen so often, we no longer even think about its message.
The word grace, or to be gracious is one of those wonderful words which has worn out – but it shouldn’t. The term “means of grace” is interpreted differently by various denominations when they’re describing baptism, communion and salvational grace. But there’s one use of that term on which all Christians agree.
God gives us good things we don’t deserve which we have the privilege and obligation to pass on to others. This too is part of the good news – the gospel. That’s why Peter writes that all of us, “should use whatever (grace) gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administrating (dispensing) God’s grace in its various forms.” I Peter 4:10 (parenthetical note, mine)
Be a Grace Dispenser
The 10 second rule is a reminder to dispense, or give out what we’ve so generously received from God to others. So, when I say a kind word, I’m passing on the kindness Jesus has shown me. When I forgive, I’m passing on the forgiveness I’ve been given in Christ Jesus and from Christ Jesus. When I give money, which Jesus has deposited with me, I am the means of grace Jesus chooses to work through, to actually pass dollar bills or checks to another person. You and I are stewards of God’s grace. The reason Jesus uses us is to distribute it, because he’s not physically present anymore on earth – or is he…?
“But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.” Romans 8:10. We are Jesus’ stand-in!
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