Grace

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 NIV)

Truth isn't the only thing that gives us peace, sets us free, and releases God's blessings in our lives.  Grace does as well.  "Grace" simply means "gift."  When in our relationship with God, we should get what we deserve.  We should get what is fair.  We should get the wages of our sin: death.  When God forgives us, then, it is a gift.

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: "'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.'" (Luke 11:1-4 NIV)

Our forgiveness is connected to our willingness to forgive others.  Jesus taught us to pray for forgiveness as we forgive those who sin against us.  God is willing to forgive us our faults.  We should be willing to forgive people their faults.

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:14-15 NIV)

Our forgiveness is intertwined so tightly that we cannot hope to be forgiven unless we are willing to forgive.  We learn something from Jesus through his teachings here.  Forgiveness doesn't release the person who wronged me.  Forgiveness releases me.

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." (Mark 11:25 NIV)

God won't listen to my prayers when I harbor unforgiveness.  It inhibits my relationship with God.  Notice, there are other passages that tell us that God will give us the desires of our hearts.  He will answer our prayers.  He won't, though, if we refuse to forgive those who have sinned against us.

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, 'Raca,' is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:22-24 NIV)

God won't accept our worship, either.  True worshipers worship in spirit and in truth.  The truth is that God wants us to forgive others and, if we have wronged someone else, to seek forgiveness for our sin.  Nothing should get in our way of loving people.  When it does, it also gets in the way of our loving God.

So watch yourselves. "If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying 'I repent,' you must forgive them." (Luke 17:3-4 NIV)

No matter how difficult it may seem, forgiveness is the road to peace.  No, the person doing the wrong does not deserve it.  You are giving them a gift.  You are extending grace.  This grace, just like God's truth, will bring you peace.

Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." (John 20:21-23 NIV)

When Jesus left, he reminded his disciples how important forgiveness would be.  The Gospel (good news) message teaches people about God's forgiveness.  Grace reminds us to model God's forgiveness, too.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17 NIV)

How about you?  Do you forgive others when they do wrong against you?  Does it bring you peace?  Do you extend grace to people along with truth?