I don’t know about you, but there have been plenty of times in my life when I messed up and needed forgiveness. There have also been times when I needed support. In fact, I still need forgiveness and support! Even though I believe I will grow and mature, I recognize that I’ll never be perfect. I’ll still make mistakes. We humans can never be complete on our own, despite how much society tells us we can find the answers within ourselves. In truth, we weren’t designed with all the answers built-in, nor were we designed to feel complete by satisfying our own selfish desires. Jeremiah 10:23 ESV says, “I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.” If you can’t think of a time when you needed forgiveness or support – a time when you needed to look beyond yourself for answers – then it’s probably only a matter of time before this realization hits you, maybe during a dark or lonely situation.
John 1:14 ESV says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Romans 6:14 ESV tells us, “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” Thanks to God’s grace, we’ve been given the chance to live with Him. This is a “forever gift” that extends from the present life all the way to eternal life. Romans 5:8 ESV teaches, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Since we are all sinners, we simply don’t deserve God’s precious gift of grace. And yet, despite our failures, He provides far more than anything this world or its fading pleasures can offer.
John 1:16-17 ESV says, “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Whether you humbly recognize how much you need God’s forgiveness or pridefully believe you can save yourself, Christ died for you. God has given us free will, and with our free will we can accept or reject a genuine relationship with the Father, our Creator. Jesus demonstrated His love for the Father and each of us. He overcame every temptation while in the flesh, including the temptation to escape the terror that awaited as He prayed earnestly in the garden while his disciples slept. I can’t imagine being tempted to the extent Jesus was tempted by Satan as taught in Matthew 4:1-11. Not only did Jesus tell us about the greatest love a person can have in John 15:13, but He put this love into action by dying on the cross for you and me. He even prayed for those who were crucifying Him! (Luke 23:34). Is there a greater love than this?
Titus 2:11-14 ESV says, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” Hebrews 4:16 ESV says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” No wonder it feels so good to treat others with compassion and mercy. When we do so, we are imitating God. He wants us to do this, but He won’t force us to do it. He wants us to act in love, like Jesus did. We can learn from His example by reading and meditating on God’s Word. Through a growing, prayerful relationship with God, we can learn to share the gift of grace with others as we apply His wisdom to our lives.
Philippians 4:8-9 ESV teaches, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” We’re sinners. We’ve all made mistakes. But God loves us anyway and has offered us eternal peace through His precious Son, Jesus Christ. What a gracious Father we serve!
