Theme:   People of the Second Chance

This eDevotional was written by a volunteer from Timberlake Church.

READ:   Matthew 5:43-48

THINK:  Grace is not fair.  It sounded a little funny to hear Pastor Dave say that on Sunday, but it’s true.  The essence of grace is that one person gives another something better than what is deserved.  A reward is given for no reason, or just retribution is withheld.  God offers grace to each of us, forgiving our sins and promising us eternal life in his presence if we choose to accept it.  Living when and where we do, we enjoy wealth and opportunity unimaginable to most people who have ever lived.  As recipients, grace is a wonderful thing, and we are thankful for it.

Because we’re human, grace doesn’t always look so great when we see others receiving it.  ‘It’s not fair’, we are tempted to think – and we’re right.  It’s not fair, it’s grace. 

The scripture passage for today is taken from the Sermon on the Mount.  In it, Jesus refers to sun and rain falling on both the just and the unjust.  At first, we might interpret this to mean that good things (sun) and bad things (rain) happen to everyone, regardless of whether or not they are deserved.  But the people who heard Jesus speak that day viewed both sun and rain as wonderful gifts – their food supply depended on both.  The point is that God gives undeserved good things to everyone, not just those who seek to follow him.  God extends grace.  We should rejoice whenever we see the evidence of that grace, whether in our own lives or someone else’s.

True Christianity, though, requires us to go even further with grace.  Our faith is undeveloped if we only accept the grace extended to us, or merely rejoice in grace given to others.  We are called to show grace to those around us, just as God has shown it to us, returning kindness for insult, patience for rudeness, love for indifference.  Who in your life needs grace from you?

DO:  Extend grace to others today.   Maybe let someone cut in front of you in traffic, or smile at someone who is late for an appointment.  For one day, look for opportunities to be unfair, giving better than what is deserved to those around you.

PRAY:  Lord God, thank you for giving me better than I deserve.  At times, I’m tempted to believe that I might deserve all the great stuff you’ve done for me.  But deep down, I know better.  Help me today to find ways to imitate your grace-giving ways by treating others better than they deserve.  Amen.