Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about. That concept seems to escape much of the human race. Today’s culture is quick to pass judgement and mercilessly relegates the outliers of society to the bottom of the pecking order. Humanity seems to take great pleasure in the persecution of the weak and less fortunate.
The disparity between those who recognize their need of a savior and those who believe in the inherent goodness of man is great. Those who are saved understand it is by God’s grace they will see the kingdom of heaven. The self-righteous have faith in their own worth and their own ability to earn salvation. And unbelievers don’t see a need for salvation at all.
Jesus said that a time would come when the love of most would grow cold. We are living in such a time. And throughout history mankind has lived and committed unimaginable atrocities that should bring condemnation upon the human race. Yet God remains merciful.
It is absolutely mind blowing that God has loved us as deeply and profoundly as He has. Civilization has been unfaithful to our Creator throughout history, yet He has remained faithful to humanity for the sake of those who love Him. Despite being rejected by mankind, slandered and mocked, He has demonstrated a self-restraint that is beyond remarkable.
God Is Longsuffering
God is longsuffering. Numbers 14:18 reveals,” The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion.” And 2 Peter 3:9 tells us, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Moreover, He took it upon Himself to enter our world and walk in our shoes to show us firsthand what love should look like. Emanuel empathetically walked the very roads that we walk and suffered the very punishment that we deserve.
You will never understand the cross until you comprehend the grace through which you have been saved. Paul teaches in Ephesians 2:8-9, For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith – not by works, so that no one can boast.”
So if our Creator treats us in such a manner, it is incumbent upon each of us to treat others in the same way. In John 13:34-35, Jesus declares, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” As Christians we ought to extend the same grace to others that God has extended to us.
There But For The Grace Of God Go I
In humility we must all recognize that there but for the grace of God go I. Throughout all the trials and tribulations we endure in life, we must come to terms with the fundamental truth that it is God that rescues us when we call out in the name of Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12 teaches us, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
He is there every step of the way and has witnessed every injustice, every adversity and every failure and disappointment for each of us. The poem Footprints in the Sand captures the essence of the gracious nature of God:
One night I had a dream.
I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life,
and for each scene I noticed two footprints in the sand,
one belonging to me and one to my Lord.
When the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along my life’s pathway,
especially at the lowest and saddest moments,
there was only one set of footprints.
This troubled me, and I asked the Lord about it.
“Lord, you said if I followed you in life,
You’d walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the most difficult times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.”
He whispered, “My gracious child, I love you and will never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you saw only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you.”
No matter where your walk takes you, you will find Christ’s footprints in the sands of time. Through all of your storms and all of the rocky places along your path, through all of your frailties and vulnerabilities, He is there and He has been there. In the deepest valleys and the darkest of nights He is near. The Lord is close to the broken hearted (Psalm 34:18).
We Ought To Extend His Grace To Others
Our Advocate and Savior, Jesus Christ is not unable to empathize with our plight nor is He unsympathetic to our struggles since He has walked in our shoes and traversed the same tribulations we face (Hebrews 4:15). Knowing how great of a savior we have, we ought to extend His grace to others.
What we do for others may not seem to impact the world but it may just impact their world. When we are obedient to the Holy Spirit it may just be the answer to someone’s prayer. The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
The concept of walking in grace encompasses receiving grace that we don’t deserve and walking in obedience – in reciprocity to that grace. It also means sharing that grace. Walking is movement and implies action. It means servitude. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40).
Furthermore, Titus 2:11-13 teaches us, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,”.
Walk in grace. Contemplate it. Live it. Practice it. Believe it. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16).
