She had every right to be angry, in line with this world’s standards.
Every right.
The details don’t matter, but I had a front row seat to watch my friend, who lives in another state, be extremely hurt by the actions of a family member. Callous and unexpected behavior wounded my friend deeply. She had every “right” to be angry, to strike back, to walk away furious.
Yet instead, I had the opportunity to watch an amazing show of grace on the behalf of my friend, who in spite of her deep hurt, poured out grace upon grace to the person who had hurt her.
And so that started me thinking…..we know that Jesus gives us grace to live; to breathe. We know that this grace is a gift–we do nothing to deserve it.
But what about grace toward each other? What does that look like?
I did some research and found a website that listed “39 Scriptures Packed with Mercy and Grace“. This was at the website “StickyJesus“. It was a good jumping off spot for looking for something solid to apply–not just something that “sounds good” or “sounds spiritual”. It would be redundant for me to include them all here in this post, so I urge you to read it for yourself–I’m sure you will see yourself in various roles as you read down through the verses. Maybe you are the one in the wrong, who needs the gift of grace. Maybe you are the one who has been wronged, yet needs to find a way to be able to give grace. Or maybe you are an unbeliever in need of God’s grace—or a believer who is also in need of God’s grace. And He longs to give it to you.
39 verses of mercy and grace, and I still keep returning to the verse in John 1:16:
16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
For from the fullness of Christ…we have ALL received grace upon grace. And if we, who are sinners, have received such grace, should it not follow that we be a grace-giving people to those that wound us; that hurt our soul.
Oh, please don’t read this as me saying it’s easy. Trust me, I know. I think it can be one of the singularly most difficult things God calls us to as Christians. But what replaces grace, if grace is not given? Bitterness. Anger. Hatred. Envy. And many other things that can take root in our soul–deep root–and will be hard to pull up and destroy.
My friend gave grace upon grace in her situation. My Jesus gave me, who could rival Paul as the chief of sinners, grace upon grace. And He offers to us the grace we need in order to forgive and salvage relationships torn by deep wounds.
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured, there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt. Refrain: Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin! 2. Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, threaten the soul with infinite loss; grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, points to the refuge, the mighty cross. (Refrain) 3. Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. What can avail to wash it away? Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, brighter than snow you may be today. (Refrain) 4. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe! You that are longing to see his face, will you this moment his grace receive?