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Have you heard someone say, “Just give me grace for…” as a way of asking for an apology? I have been mulling that over and trying to decide what it really means. Let’s talk about it.

By definition grace means giving favor even though it is not deserved. God is the ultimate example of extending grace which shouts at us as we realize He sent Jesus Christ, His Son, to take on the form of a human and offer Himself as a sacrifice and payment for our sins. That is a favor we do not deserve. Yet, God loves us so much He was willing to do it for us.

He continues to offer us grace each day as we fall short of His standard for living. Whether we use The Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, the Fruit of the Spirit, or Psalms as a measuring stick, we do not measure up. Each day we confess to Him and grow a little more like Him–or that is the hope!

Now we understand what grace means to God, and how He offers it to us freely.

What about in our relationships with other people? Should others who have wronged us be able to ask for grace from us? Of course. Relationships are made of two sinful people who hurt one another—willingly or unwillingly. Should we be able to apologize, ask each other for grace and kindness, and move on? Absolutely. God’s Word is clear on that. We must do that for any relationship to survive and flourish. Here are a few verses for reference.

Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

Colossians 3:13 adds, “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

We are always requested by God to forgive, to extend grace, because He knows it is best for us.

Luke 6:37 says, “Forgive and you will be forgiven.”  I know I want to be forgiven, and I assume you do, too. So we choose to extend grace. God wants us free from the burden of carrying someone else’s consequences on our shoulders. He knows how that weight would affect us. He wants us to understand we are so important to Him, He would hold back our forgiveness so that we are not tempted to allow someone else’s sin to cause us to miss out on His blessings.

Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us with these words, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

God knows when we bring everything to Him, including those we need to forgive, it will lessen our anxiety and guard our hearts and minds.

So, we forgive because God asks us to, and He knows it is best for us. We trust Him.

On the other hand, grace is not a free football to throw around. Grace cost God the blood of His precious Son. Grace is not something to take for granted or to be abused.

Is there a time when seven times seventy does not apply? How do we balance the verses above with mistreatment, unkindness, and cruelty? What about the person who continues to do the same thing over and over? What about the person who intentionally hurts us? What about the person who asks for grace but for no accountability?

We will work through each of those questions next week in Part 2 of Let’s Talk About Grace.

“God, thank you for the grace you show us. Give us wisdom as we extend it to others.”

For His Glory

Terrie Tollerson (feel free to follow me on Instagram TerrieTollerson)
TRBC Women’s Life