"At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:3-7 NIV)
I love how Paul uses even the closing words of his letter to remind Titus that we have been saved because of his grace and not because of the righteous things we have done. Having understood this truth, we should live radically different lives in the way we treat others. We have been shown mercy; we have been forgiven. Therefore, we should be full of grace toward others.
Showing grace is totally counter-cultural; it's scandalous. I am not saying that we ought to look over the willful sins of those who have heard the truth and yet live in total rebellion toward it. No, in fact those people should be rebuked in love. We need to be gracious to the unlovable and undeserving.
Today, as an act of worship, show the love of God by offering grace others today who desperately need grace, yet may or may not realize it. Spend time thanking and praising God for saving us by his Grace.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."
-Ephesians 2:8-9
-Ephesians 2:8-9
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