This is apparently something that I have often said. Although most people can't tell me when I have uttered such a phrase, it must come out in my tone or body language. I know that it runs through my head. For some reason I see problems and like telling people what their problem is. It has to be the "older brother" in me. I suppose it's just one of those things that big brothers do, they see the potential problems that are facing those around us and we want to stop it. I wish I could say that it was always because I wanted to help people. It's often times because I want to be right.
When I first began to understand grace I realized that it was bereft of problems. There are so many ways to abuse grace. Chief among them, license. Within the radical grace of God there is so much freedom that people like me are afraid. We are afraid that people will just get their "fire insurance" and then live however they want to live. We are afraid that they won't try and be good. We are afraid that they will abuse grace and slide into license.
It's funny though, we don't see Jesus worrying about that. We don't see Paul worrying about that. We see them concerned about big brothers who want to limit grace. Big brothers who want to make sure that people will follow the rules.
Grace opens the door to people,who are not like us, to enter into relationship with the God of the universe. God's grace is extended to people who despise him.
Can we extend grace to the people we despise?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg_j7n4BcVA
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