Quiet Reflections.

On Grace, Mercy, and Loving Like Christ.

I was in a conversation with a friend yesterday, and we spoke about an issue that had been bothering me for quite a while.

I won't go into too much detail, but for some time I had wondered why people who profess to be Christians sometimes do or say things that, in retrospect, contradict what Scripture teaches. I wasn't asking from a place of self righteousness or as someone who has it all figured out, nor as someone who hasn't fallen into the same trap. I was simply seeking genuine understanding.

Why would this person do this?

Why would this person say this?

It reminds me of the passage where Paul says he found himself doing the very things he did not want to do, while the things he wanted to do, he was unable to do.

Romans 7:15 GNT

[15] I do not understand what I do; for I don't do what I would like to do, but instead I do what I hate.

What I came to understand yesterday is that I may never get to know everyone's "why." Unless you're my friend or family member, or I simply ask you, I may never know. More importantly, I was made to understand that perhaps the focus shouldn't be on knowing everyone's "why," but on changing my approach to the situation.

My friend said something that has stayed with me.

God is a gentleman.

He has given us free will, the ability to make our own choices, without forcing His will upon us.

He has shown us His will, His ways, and how He desires us to live. Yet, sometimes we choose otherwise. Maybe because we think it's okay.

Maybe because it seems like the easier or more comfortable path.

And He lets us choose.

Even when it grieves Him.

He warns us.

He nudges us.

He speaks to us and shows us a better way.

Yet, sometimes we still choose the wrong path.

What amazes me is that even after all of that, when we finally realise we shouldn't have said that thing or done that thing, He still invites us to come boldly before His throne to obtain mercy.

Hebrews 4:16

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (NKJV)

That thought completely baffles me.

Because if I were in God's position, I honestly don't think I would welcome your tears or your cries.

I warned you.

I spoke to you.

I counselled you not to do the very thing you eventually did.

Yet God does.

What a God.

What a Father.

What manner of love.

The fact that I can retrace my steps back to my Father when I sin, when I fall short, not in shame, guilt, or fear of punishment, but in genuine repentance, and find that He is just, merciful, and willing to forgive me.

That is love beyond comprehension.

But that wasn't even the part that struck me the most.

What truly challenged me was the realization that God expects us, His children, His heirs, those who carry His Spirit and claim to reflect Him, to extend that same love to our brothers and sisters.

Knowing God's character, I don't believe He points accusing fingers, condemns, or gossips about His children when they fall.

Rather, I believe His heart longs for them to come into the light of understanding, repent, and return to Him.

This isn't to say we should never correct one another. Scripture calls us to correct in love.

But not in judgment.

Not with condemnation.

Not with the haste that often makes us forget that we, too, fall short.

Galatians 6:1 NLT

[1] Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

So the next time you see a brother or sister in Christ who seems to have fallen, or perhaps they haven't even realised they've fallen, instead of immediately forming an opinion, questioning their relationship with Christ, or discussing their shortcomings with others,

Pause.

Reflect.

Ask yourself why they might have done or said what they did.

Pray for them.

If you have the opportunity, meet with them. Have an honest and gracious conversation with the aim of understanding their "why."

Then gently correct them in love, using Scripture.

Don't argue.

Don't point accusing fingers.

Pray with them.

Then continue praying for them.

And even if it seems as though everything you said fell on deaf ears, don't stop.

Keep praying.

Keep hoping.

Keep trusting that one day their eyes will be opened, they will come to genuine repentance, and they will return to the throne of God's mercy.

This is much easier said than done, trust me.

But with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can become better reflections of Christ.

May God grant us the grace to love as He loves, extend mercy as He extends mercy, and reflect Christ more faithfully in both our words and our lives.

Amen.

Romans 2:1 GNT

[1] Do you, my friend, pass judgment on others? You have no excuse at all, whoever you are. For when you judge others and then do the same things which they do, you condemn yourself.

Ephesians 5:1-2 NKJV

[1] Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. [2] And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Hello everyone,

I hope we're all doing well.

Once again, I'm grateful to God for the grace to write, but above all, I'm grateful for the lessons He has been teaching me in this season of my life.

Truthfully, for a while, I haven't been feeling like myself, and I've slacked in many areas. But slowly and surely, I'm retracing my steps and finding my way back, one day at a time.

Whenever you come across this piece, I'd appreciate it if you could say a word of prayer for me. As I ask God to strengthen me, I'm also praying that He meets you at your place of need, grants you grace for the journey you're on, and reminds you that you're never alone.

Until next time,

Remain blessed.

Shalom. 🤍