Grace Is Greater Than the Mess We Make
Have you ever really messed up? Wished you could take back something you said? Struggled to break a bad habit? We certainly have!
Grace came up in our discussions this past week, so it is the focus of today’s Fist Bump.
As men, we spend a great deal of time trying to get things right. We want to be great husbands, dads, papas, friends, and leaders. We juggle countless responsibilities and try to keep everything in the air.
We want others to look at us and think, “Wow, that guy has it all together.”
In short, we want to be perfect.
But that is not possible.
The truth is, we all stumble. We lose our patience, say things we regret, make poor decisions, and disappoint people. Most of all, we let pride get in the way. We fail to listen. We know what we should do and still choose the opposite.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23
Notice that this verse says all, not some. We all fall short.
That is where grace enters the picture. Consider this verse:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9
Grace means receiving what we have neither earned nor deserved.
Gentlemen, God knows we are far from perfect and that we will make mistakes. He does not wait for us to become perfect before loving us.
Remember this: HE LOVES US IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MESS!
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8
We do not earn our way to Jesus. Jesus came to us.
Here is where this gets a little more challenging.
We gladly receive grace when we do not deserve it, but how readily do we extend grace to others?
“Freely you have received; freely give.” — Matthew 10:8
The message is clear: if we want grace, we must also give grace.
Can those closest to you see God’s grace reflected in your life? Your wife? Your children? Your friends? Your coworkers?
Can you say, “I’m sorry”?
Can you say, “I was wrong”?
Can you say, “I forgive you”?
Those are simple words, but sometimes they are incredibly difficult to say.
Reflect on these questions in the coming weeks, especially when life accelerates, schedules tighten, and pressure builds.
Each morning, let’s remember that we need God’s grace and that every new day gives us another opportunity to extend grace to others.
As we close, consider this quote from Rick Warren that we read this past week: “Grace is when God gives you what you don’t deserve. Mercy is when God doesn’t give you what you deserve.”
Can we be men of grace and mercy in the way we live each day?
That is our challenge this week, gentlemen.
Receive grace.
Give grace.
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