I’ve been a little at a loss lately.
There’s so many conversations taking place and it seems that we are at odds at how to define this word, “grace.”
Some say it’s love without borders: Love everyone. Love like Jesus. Love ourselves. Love our neighbors. Love those who are on the fringe. Love the rejected. The downtrodden.
Lord, help me love like that.
Some say it’s acceptance. Going deeper than the labels that separate us.
Lord, help me to see the person standing in front of me, really see them.
Others say that grace means that there’s not really such a thing as sin.
And that’s where I struggle.
Not with a person or a particular sin, but stripping grace of its beautiful power.
I’m a sinner.
Saved by grace.
That means something, right?
When I’m caught in the crosshairs of a cultural conversation, all I know to do is to climb into the Word and settle there. It’s where I’ve been for the past several days as Facebook posts go viral, and people (good, loving people with all the right intentions) debate back and forth.
I settled in Hebrews 4.
This passage reminds me that we have a Savior who gets it.
It says that Jesus knows what it feels like to be tempted or to be impacted by sin. He went into face-to-face combat with the enemy and came out ragged and battered on the outside, but overflowing with the power of the Holy Spirit inside.
Hebrews 4 says, “Come boldly to the throne of grace.”
This isn’t depicting an actual throne, but the deity of God Himself as a safe place where I walk in with all my humanity showing and I find what I need.
Grace teaches me to love, because I am well loved by God.
Grace leads me to accept people right where they are, because God meets me right where I am.
Grace rescues me from sin as mercy meets me and grace covers my soul, which allows me to show mercy in the same measure.
But let’s not stop there because scripture doesn’t stop there. We are sinners in a sin-battered world and grace was hard earned on the cross for every single one of us.
Those sins He took upon the cross were weighty. He carried them so we didn’t have to, and too many of us want to hold on (me included) when He offers what we need.
In grace, God gives nothing less than Himself.
And in return, we give Him the same.
That’s where real change begins for every single one of us.
There’s no cultural conversation that can strip this of its power. Maybe we should just stop talking and debating and experience this beautiful gift all over again and watch what God can do.
Suzie
Live Free Thursday
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Recently, I found myself getting harder & harder to accept what people says about me especially when I am wrong. I would reason within that I am already trying my best, can’t they see…I even pray to God to convict those “people” that they were wrong, not me! Somehow, deep within, I knew something is wrong with me, inside & outside….
Thanks Suzanne for sharing your heart out, I am a sinner saved by grace, and that really a huge price paid by Jesus! Im sure God wanted to tell me about His grace through your sharing. Thank u once again!
Dearest Suzie,
I love your heart here – gently defending God’s gift of grace for the beautiful sacrifice that it was. Our freedom came at great cost. We were completely undeserving. And because of the great love we were shown, we can share that love and grace with others. In my link up today, I share the story of how the Bosma family was able to shine the light of Christ to our whole community and beyond – their precious husband and son was the victim of a senseless murder (over a truck), yet they show incredible strength and grace. I believe people were drawn to them not only out of sympathy, but because they see Jesus reflected through them.
Grace teaches us to love. Amen! It will change my thought perspective every time. Deep words to draw us closer, Suzie. Thank you!
“When I’m caught in the crosshairs of a cultural conversation, all I know to do is to climb into the Word and settle there.” I love what you found there in God’s Word. Thank you for wading through the chatter to uncover the beauty and foundational truths of grace.
Grace, grace, God’s grace. Grace that will pardon and cleanse within…Grace that is greater then all my sin. Oh yes, by Grace I have been saved and it sooooo means something!
Amen Jodie!! I agree with you!
Suzie, thank you for this post, you’ve got it right! I appreciate your ability to convey God’s truth!
Hugs and prayers!
Suzie,
As I’m reading your post I’m feeling my mouth wanting to be quick to speak and slow to listen. It is such a struggle when we believe we are so right and the other people are gravely WRONG. I get it. I think the challenge for me is to love the people I disagree with – even those who say they believe in the same God that I do. I have been real guilty of judging and being a little argumentative too but you are so right about resting in the word. His word will give us perspective which we so desperately need as we engage in a culture that can be very deceiving. May God grant us all the wisdom to be salt and light in this world. Love you and i’m praying for you. – Kia
Just beautiful. Suzie, I so appreciate that your words (and wisdom) are always relevant. You’ve an anointed way of communicating exactly what the rest of us are struggling with. Thank you friend. Just thank you!
oh, my heart… Your words stiff deep feelings within and I’ll be chewing on them for days to come. Grace is for every one and cannot be denied by current events or political agendas, but it doesn’t mean there isn’t sin. We need grace because we cannot stop sinning on our own. Blessings!
Love this truth, and love this post Suzie! Amen! <3
Grace – I need it every day, and need to extend it everyday! I’m posting Hebrews 4:16 on my FB page for all my friends to see! Thanks, Suzie!
Beautiful post, Suzie! I love Hebrews 4 and often find myself returning there on a weekly basis. <3 <3 Also loved when you said "In grace, God gives nothing less than Himself. And in return, we give Him the same." Couldn't have said it better.
always one of my favorite verses – I like to add at the end “Which is all the time” – thanks, suzie and thanks for hosting.
Suzie,
Grace – turning back to His grace over and over again. For others and for ourselves. How easily we forget about grace. I loved the prompt this week and loved wrapping it into my own story of forgiving myself. Thank you for that opportunity!
Hugs,
Lori