Think a Minute:
This week I would like to talk some about Grace…God’s unmerited favor that rests upon each of us. If Christ has apportioned you with enough grace to live a life worthy of the calling you received, are you applying it? If not, should He let you keep it? Or should He take it away and give it to someone who will make full use of it? Many Christians under-apply their grace. It can be such a waste. If you are living a life worthy of the calling you received, how do you treat your weaker brother or sister? Do you look on in disapproval or even disgust at your brother or sister who can’t quite seem to get his/her act together/ Does your mind get stuck thinking about how weak he or she is? Pray for them, that God’s grace to him or her may increase. Fall to your face and implore God to have mercy on your weaker friend with tears of remorse. Thank Him with tears of gratitude that He has mercifully given you so much grace. Why should it be the other person and not you that is weak? There is no reason except the grace Christ has apportioned to you at His sole discretion. “But for the grace of God, there go I.” Paul says the following in two of his epistles:
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love “(Ephesians 4:2). “Accept him (or her) whose faith is weak, without passing judgement on disputable matters” (Romans 14:1).
My friends, part of our calling in Christ is to bear with our weaker brothers or sisters, to not revel in the smug satisfaction that we overcome but they don’t. If we overcome, it is because of the grace apportioned to us. God has given us grace for each day and if we ourselves are not living a life worthy of our calling, then ask for more grace. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, but know that the strength of courage and character to do so comes from the grace apportioned to you! Amen and Amen!
– Pastor Rob Pesola