1. Grace: a most precious gift to share
We all make mistakes. God’s grace teaches me not to berate myself. And it is through the
grace I have received that I have learned to give it, unconditionally and without limits.
Haven’t we all experienced difficult relationships, even within this body of Believers? Day-
by-day, year-on-year, we grow in our ability to handle others with grace. But why is it so
important that we love each other, to keep short accounts with one another, to forgive and
demonstrate grace rather than condemnation, even toward those with whom we experience
disagreement, misunderstanding or head-on conflict?
We overcome the temptation to retaliate because it is Jesus’ prayer that we in the Body
would be as one, as Jesus and the Father are one (John 17:11). We surrender to God our
hostility and hurt, replacing them with grace, so that the world will recognize God in and
through our unity. And we bless those who confront us, challenge us, or even abuse us,
because God gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Does it mean we are doormats to abusers
and accusers? No. But we follow God’s Spirit, remaining in unity, earnestly seeking to
resolve our differences in love, discovering common ground, and allowing the LORD to
teach, convict and resolve the issues that need His wisdom and discernment. Compassion
does not excuse wrong, but it does enable a meeting of hearts and minds, and grace opens the
door to communication through mutual respect and love.
In the Complete Jewish Bible* translation of Galatians 3:26-28 it reads,
“For in union with the Messiah, you are all children of God through this trusting
faithfulness; because as many of you as were immersed into the Messiah have clothed
yourselves with the Messiah, in whom there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor
freeman, neither male nor female; for in union with the Messiah Yeshua, you are all one.”
We are all one in Christ. Therefore, if there is any disharmony, it disturbs the entire pool.
Let us swim in the waters together, accepting our differences and uniqueness, recognizing the
joy we bring to the Body, and to the world, and to our LORD, when we do.
When grace knows no boundaries, it is its own reward. As we give grace, so we receive it;
as we grow in grace, we will receive that same grace we afford to others. Let us practice and
discover the fruit that grace bears, so that the world will know us by our love.
(c) Sarah Tun, 2015
*Complete Jewish Bible, translation by David H. Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications,
Inc. Post Office Box 615, Clarksville, Maryland 21029 USA