Just wanted to take a minute to share a thought from the other day. While listening to a popular radio station the DJ was speaking of grace. I’ll spare you the majority of what was said and just get to my point. She was saying that we often give grace to others when they make a mistake, but we never extend that grace to ourselves. Errr, ok fine, I can sort of go along with that, but by the time she finished I was ready to turn the station.
God’s grace is amazing and yes we should extend that same grace to others. What we should not do is use God’s grace as an excuse to not do our best. She was going on and on about how the only perfect person to ever walk this earth is Jesus. My take away was since you weren’t born perfect, don’t worry about it.
Leviticus 20:7 tells us Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. 1 Peter 1:16 states Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. Nowhere in the Word do I see “don’t strive to be better. Just give yourself grace”. I can almost hear people now telling me but those scriptures don’t say perfect. Let me give you another then: Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Speaking of the Bride of Christ Ephesians 5:27 states That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hathmade herself ready.
The Bride of Christ makes herself ready, not she makes excuses. I understand that many times we are our own worst critics and sometimes we just need to chill; obviously I’m not talking about sin here. If you sinned do not cut yourself any slack, repent and turn from your sins. Where was I?? Oh yes, I also understand that we alone are responsible for our actions. When giving grace to others I don’t have any idea what is going on with them, but I do know my life. I know why I did or didn’t do something. While giving ourselves grace is good. Oftentimes it is even needed, but if we aren’t careful we can take it too far. Christ is coming back and He is coming for a bride that is ready and perfected. While you are extending grace to yourself, don’t become too comfortable and not move forward.
You might be wondering if I’m not talking about sin then why do I mention Christ’s bride?!? We each have one life, not 3 or 4. If we extend too much grace to ourselves in one area it will begin to spill over into another and eventually it will seep into our spiritual life. God cares about our whole person, not just one section. Keep striving, friends!