You have been made complete through the gospel, the good news that God showed His love, mercy and grace toward you.  Because of this, you extend love, mercy and grace to others, no strings attached:

  • Because you know God loves us, you can love others (1 Corinthians 13:7 – love tries to assume the best of other people)
  • Because you know God’s grace, you can give grace to others (1 Peter 4:10, Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 4:6)
  • Because you know God’s mercy, you can give mercy to others (James 2:13-18)

As a believer, you no longer need to be reliant on the approval of man and demand respect from others, because you have both through Jesus.

God saved you out of pure grace.  You can love your enemies because God loved you when you were His enemy.   So in the gospel, you should be getting your identity, your hope, your peace, your motivation, your security – these things shouldn’t be coming from people around you, or your circumstances.

Don’t be surprised at fiery trials when they come.  You can rest because of what God has done for you.  You can rest in His love.  When you interact with life and others this way, God’s power does it for you.

Texts:  1 John 4:19, Romans 6:5-10, Colossians 2:10, Colossians 2:8

 

 

Posted in Gospel (The Gospel), Grace, Sufficiency of Christ, Sufficiency of Scripture, The Love of God