Paul makes the following statement in 2 Cor. 4:15, "as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God." The context of this statement is Paul's ministry. He has been "persecuted" and "struck down" (2 Cor. 4:9). He has given up things and made numerous sacrifices, but it is all worth it if people are receiving grace, responding with thanksgiving, and giving glory to God.
We often think in terms of receiving grace because this is how Scripture typically speaks of grace. We are recipients of the magnificent grace of God. Jesus has given us a gift that we do not deserve. This is good news! However, what should our response be to receiving the greatest gift of all? It should be to show grace to others. We should want others to experience what we have received on some level. We should be dispensers of grace everywhere we go. Paul did this. His ministry was a ministry of grace.
Extending grace is not always easy, ask Paul. It is giving people what they do not deserve. This is radical! It is radical in every age, but even more so in our age. We practice cancel culture. We are polarized and demonize anyone on the other side. We dehumanize people on social media. We live in a graceless world, so it is radical whenever it shows up. Why would we do this? Why would we treat people better than they deserve? Why would we give people something they have not earned? It is much easier to join the masses. It is much easier to cancel, demonize, and dehumanize. It is much easier to cry out, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Why choose to practice grace? Because it is what Jesus did for us. He extended grace to us even though we did not earn it or deserve it.
Jesus showed us a better way to live. Living gracefully is not the easiest way to live, but it is the best way. Grace is what will heal a lost and dying world. Choose the Jesus way. Choose to practice grace.
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