Today’s Scripture: Ephesians 5:1
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
Charles Spurgeon and Joseph Parker both pastored churches in London in the 19th century. On one occasion, Parker commented on the poor condition of children admitted to Spurgeon’s orphanage. It was reported to Spurgeon, however, that Parker had criticised the orphanage itself. Spurgeon blasted Parker the next week from the pulpit. The attack was printed in the newspapers and became the talk of the town. People flocked to Parker’s church the next Sunday to hear his rebuttal. “I understand Dr. Spurgeon is not in his pulpit today, and this is the Sunday they use to take an offering for the orphanage. I suggest we take a love offering here instead.” The crowd was delighted. The ushers had to empty the collection plates three times. Later that week there was a knock at Parker’s study. It was Spurgeon. He said, “You know, Parker, you have practiced grace on me. You have given me not what I deserved; you have given me what I needed.”
What great beneficiaries of grace we are. What great benefactors of grace we also ought to be. Extending grace to others naturally follows receiving God’s grace. Grace would never have been necessary outside of relationships. Man offended God when he crossed the defined boundary in their existing relationship. God reserved the right to close the door permanently, but He extended grace. He gave man an opportunity to mount the same pedestal he once occupied in the relationship; as if he never sinned.
In our relationship with others also, there are bound to be offences. In fact, offences are the major reasons relationships break down. But what if, like our opening text commands, we imitate God like dear children? What if we extend grace rather than retain offence? Not only would we sustain better relationships, we would attract more people to the Lord.
us make a commitment to be gracious to the differences, mistakes and sins of others against ourselves. Before you utter that critical word or statement about another, stop and ask: “Am I being gracious?” Freely we have received grace, let us freely give. Let our actions and speech, like Paul admonishes, exude grace at all times. May the Lord grant you the grace to be gracious, in Jesus’ name.
Memorise & Meditate:
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29
Prayer/Confession:
Help me, Father, to be gracious in my dealings with others. I declare that I am a gracious person; I am quick to forgive. My speech is seasoned with grace at all times, in Jesus’ name.
