Extending Grace

I was watching Global Ventures, a program that shows the experiences of Christian missionaries on their venture to spread the Gospel. In this particular episode they were told that there was a witchdoctor near the area they were evangelising, actually in Kenya, who apparently was able to place curses on people. They decided to visit the witchdoctor. At first I thought they were going to maybe exercise demons or something and put an end to the witchcraft. Instead, they actually shared the Gospel with him; that Jesus can save anyone and the power of salvation is for all, no matter the person's background. 

The man asked what would happen if he died a sinner, without Jesus. He learnt that then he would go to hell and the reply he gave completely shifted the perspective of him being a witchdoctor to him being just another person held in chains. This moved me to tears; he said that he was already living in hell. It was a genuine answer and did not seem arrogant in any way. Let's just take a moment and acknowledge that there are other people like him who actually feel the same way. Sadly, he did not accept salvation, a seed was planted though. Coincidentally, the missionaries camped near another witchdoctor's house and he got born again. 

He said that he had been calling out to God for help for a while now. He also got healed. It always such joy to watch a person accept Jesus. He was so happy. As I was appreciating what had just happened, it dawned on me that this guy may have contributed to the destruction of people's lives in the past. For a moment I wondered, would a victim, so to say, of this guy really feel the same joy. I realised then that it may be easier to show grace to a person who has not wronged you, but may have wronged another person, than it is when one is directly affected by a "wrong". However, that is exactly what God expects of us. To be as Holy as He is and love just as he has loved us Matthew 5:48, 1 Peter 1:16. I know, it sounds much easier than it is to do.

I am convinced that God is a great being. For Him to show so much grace to me and all people that have deliberately rejected Him, sinned and transgressed against His law; that as sinned increased grace increased even more. While on the other hand, when a person, one person, wrongs me, I find it hard to wish them good. Even Jesus said that only God the Father, can be called good (let's redefine good). Do you sometimes stop for a while and think about the grace and goodness that God has shown you? Whether you are born again or not, because grace was sent for all. I know that even up until today, when I call upon Him, He will hear me and forgive and forget.

But that's just the thing, it is supernatural to show such grace and love unconditionally. Our human nature makes it easier for us to wish wrong on the ones that have wronged us and love selectively. That's why God sent Jesus, so now we do not have to try to love like Him or be holy like Him through our own efforts. We rely completely on the strength of Christ. By living in us and becoming a part of us, Jesus would soften our hard hearts o rather, "take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh" Ezekiel 11:19. One thing to do when we still find it hard to wish or show someone good, is to pray. Prayer goes a long way. I know that it can also be hard to pray for someone who has wronged you; in such cases confess to God that you are finding it hard to wish someone good or even pray for them. He already knows anyway and He will help you out. 

Scripture says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 Now that we think about these things, let us extend grace to the ones around us and even strangers. Treating each other with love and respect, despite the background of a person or their social status. Let us try to be empathetic to the situations that people are in. The Gospel is all about love. 

The "Incredible Love" by Gayle