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?

Loving People

"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." (Matthew 19:4-6 NIV)

People are made in the image of God.  Perhaps this is another reason God calls us to love people.  Our marriages should be the first place people see our love for God.  Loving our neighbor begins with the one to whom we are married.  No matter what idiosyncrasies your spouse has, God calls you to love your spouse.  Even when your spouse drives you crazy, love conquers all.

But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Luke 18:16-17 NIV)

Children are also made in the image of God.  Not only that, God gives children as a gift.  It doesn't matter how much they drive you crazy, they are God's children too.  Your love for your children is a reflection of God's love to them.  They learn about God by watching your marriage and experiencing unconditional love from you.  People should see, in our family, God's love in action.

When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you." "Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother." (Mark 3:21, 32-35 NIV)

There was a time in Jesus' ministry when his mother and brothers thought he was out of his mind.  You may feel that kind of pressure when you try to walk together with God, even from your parents, your brothers or sisters, your spouse, or your children.  This is when God's family become a support system in your walk.  They have also come home to the Father through the Son and received the Spirit.  They are your brothers and sisters.  Treat them with respect and all purity as a brother or sister in Christ.  Lean on them when you feel alone in your faith.  That is part of God's plan.  His Family, the Church, leans on one another when our family is against us or God.  Who knows?  Maybe your family will come around and become a part of His family, too.  That's what happened with Jesus.

All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:11-12,27 NIV)

God not only describes the Church as His Family.  It's also described as His Body.  Each one of us is given a gift or gifts to use in working together.  God sends us out as His ambassadors to make disciples of all nations.  You and I have a part to play in God's plan.  Each member of His Body is designed to work together in harmony with the other parts.  It's the ultimate team, working together accomplishing His Mission, bringing His Kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:2-6 NIV)

Ultimately, our love for people will drive us to love people no matter what, treat people with respect, and invite people to the Garden.  Our love for them will turn into a longing for them to experience the benefits and blessings that come from walking together with God.

How about you?  Do you love people?  Do you love your family, His Family, His Body, and our community?

Truth

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:23-24 NIV)

God gives us His Spirit so we can experience the power, the benefits, and the blessings that come from walking with Him.  His Spirit also leads us into all truth.  When we walk by the Spirit in truth, this is our act of worship.

If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. (1 John 1:6 NIV)

There is a difference between truth and not truth.  Pilate asked the question almost rhetorically, "What is truth" (John 18:38).  He asked it with Jesus, the truth, standing right in front of him.  He asked it right before sentencing Jesus to death.  Walking with God is not just about raising our hands, singing the songs, or even praying out loud.  It's about living by the truth.

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (John 3:21 NIV)

When we live by the truth, God is seen in us.  Our words reflect God.  Our actions reflect God.  We live by and walk by the truth of God.  Everyone can easily see that our words and actions are from God.

Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:30 NIV)

Truth is powerful.  It's so powerful that distorted truth can pull people away from God.  It has eternal implications.  When someone preaches or teaches, we should be comparing what they say to the truth.  God's word is truth (John 17:17).

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44 NIV)

Perhaps God calls us to love our enemies because they aren't really our enemies.  They are described as deceived (Revelation 20:10) and taken captive (2 Timothy 2:26).  People aren't really my enemy.  The enemy is my enemy.  He is a liar and the father of lies.  He tries to deceive you and me in order to take us captive to do his will.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist... (Ephesians 6:14 NIV)

Truth stands in the face of his deceptions...of his lies.  We should seek the truth, love the truth, and walk by the truth.  When we do, we not only experience peace.  We are no longer deceived and no longer under the control of our enemy.  We are set free.

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32 NIV)

Truth is powerful.  This is why God affirmed His truth with miraculous signs shown by His prophets.  This is why God protected His truth in Scripture.  This is why God sends us the Spirit of truth to lead us into all truth so we can walk by the truth.  The truth sets us free.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)

How about you?  Do you throw away the lies in your mind and heart and replace them with the truth?  Have you been set free?

Loving God

"If you love me, keep my commands. (John 14:15 NIV)

Loving God is a choice.  We show our love for God by following His commands.

Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. "All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:23-26 NIV)

Remember, God wants to walk with you.  He want's a positive, healthy relationship with you.  Obeying commands isn't just about obeying commands.  It's about faith.  It's about trust.  It's about love.  Do I believe God actually created the heavens and the earth, still holds all things together, and designed me in His image?  Do I trust that God want's to work all things together for my good?  Do I love God enough to simply do what He asks me to do?

The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. (1 Timothy 1:5 NLT)

Love for God can fill my heart.  Love for God is a battle in my mind.  Love for God, however, begins with faith: trusting God in everything.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)

We can't see into the spiritual realm, but God can.  We can't see everything that goes on even in the physical realm, but God does.  We haven't designed all of creation, experienced all of history, and built a plan for eternity, but God has.  A sincere faith in God trusts that God has handled all the big problems so far, so God is fully capable of handling the ones we face today.  Sincere faith, knows that God works all things together for those who love God (Romans 8:28), so we love God and then trust God with the rest.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV)

We love God when we renew our minds with God's picture, God's design, and God's instructions, leading us to God's will.  We take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), showing God our love even in our minds.  Our conscience is clear when we follow the thoughts from God and throw away the thoughts not from God.  This is our spiritual act of worship.  This is loving God.

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalms 139:23-24 NIV)

A heart that loves God is open to God in every area and in every way.  Nothing is hidden before God anyway, but that doesn't mean we want God to see it all.  A heart that loves God opens itself up to God and allows God to heal any parts that are broken.  When we love God with our whole heart, we are lead in His ways everlasting.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27 NIV)

At the same time Jesus told us to love him by keeping commands, Jesus also told us that keeping those commands will bring us peace.  Our hearts will not be troubled.  Our consciences will not bother us.  Our sincere faith will bring us peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), and we will experience the blessings that come with the love of God.

How about you?  Do you love God?  Do you experience the blessings of His love?

A Life of Love

Just because you've returned to the Father doesn't mean you're enjoying the blessings of the Father.  Just because you've returned to the Garden doesn't mean you're enjoying the benefits of the Garden.  Yes, you are forgiven.  Yes, we have received His Spirit.  His Spirit, though, provides more benefits and produces more blessings only when we walk by the Spirit.

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:36-40 NIV)

Jesus said that the greatest command God has ever given us is the command to love.  Loving God and people is so important that all of the Law and the Prophets (teachings and commands of the Old Testament) hang on these two commands.  This is why we call it "The Great Commandment."

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35 NIV)

Jesus also said that love is so important that we will be identified as his followers by our love.  There's an old hymn that states, "They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love."  I had a friend who would start singing it whenever we would start to get a little hot under the collar over some issue in church.  It was a great reminder of Christ's command.  We should be identified by our love.

We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. (1 John 4:19-21 NIV)

Loving those closest to us can sometimes be the most difficult.  Whether it is a spouse, a child, a parent, or someone in your Bible study or ministry team in the church, the people closest to us seem to know how to push our buttons and test our patience.

Love, though, is patient.  Love is kind.  Love removes envy so we can enjoy time with someone who has more than we do.  Love removes boasting so we can enjoy good relationships with someone who has less than we do.  Love removes jealousy so we can enjoy a great relationship with our spouse.  Love removes pride so we don't think we are better than anyone else.  Love is not something we fall into.  Love is something we fight for with everything we have.  "Love is not a feeling, it's an act of your will" (Don Francisco).

The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not covet," and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:9-10 NIV)

God doesn't just command us to love those closest to us or those in the church.  It takes a bigger perspective to love our neighbor as ourselves.  Remember when Jesus was asked the question, "Who is our neighbor?"  Jesus responded with the parable of the good Samaritan.  The hero of the story was the one who helped someone in need.  Jesus tells us to go and do likewise.

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48 NIV)

Perhaps the most difficult battle is the one we fight to love our enemies.  They do nothing for us.  In fact, they work against us.  We are taught to fight our enemies and stand up for ourselves.  This protects us from harm.  Jesus turns this thought upside down when he commands us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.  That's exactly what Jesus did when we were his enemies.  That's why he went to the cross.  Sin sets us up as God's enemy, but God saw us as His children made in His image and loved us.  Now it's up to us to do the same.

The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. (1 Timothy 1:5-6 NLT)

Love is a purposeful choice we make every moment of every day.  When we choose to walk by the Spirit, we choose to be filled with love.

How about you?  Do you live a life of love?