Candidate For Grace
Unforgiveness is like a thick blanket over our spiritual life. It makes no difference if it’s in your heart holding bitterness over someone else or your own shame and guilt accusing you of your wrongdoing. Whatever direction unforgiveness comes from, it causes a rift in our spiritual life.
Perhaps the journey to forgive others is simpler than the journey of receiving forgiveness. At least, when you have to forgive someone for hurting you, there is a chance to understand their behavior in light of their brokenness and give them grace. When it’s the damage we’ve done that is being forgiven, we might not be so inclined to recieve grace.
I know in my spiritual journey, the pit of shame and unworthiness has driven me from God and others. It’s caused me to perform my way into the kingdom (which never works, by the way), and it’s pushed me to try to pay off my debts through good works and striving.
Maybe you’re like me in that way—straining to pull yourself out of the pit of sin you’ve dug for yourself. The truth is that we can never pull ourselves out; we can only dig the hole deeper.
And then there stands God in the riches of his grace. He says, “I have enough grace for you, too.”
Ephesians 1:7 NIV says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”
Forgiveness is not given because we earned it. It’s not extended because we signed up for it, and our application was received. We don’t get grace because we are a good candidate. The only thing that makes us a candidate for grace is our need for a Savior.
Do you need forgiveness today? Lift your eyes to see the one who has purchased your redemption through his blood. Look to the one who is rich in grace and mercy. Open your hands and receive.
Pray this prayer, “Jesus, I receive your forgiveness and grace.”
