measuring up Archives | Moment to Moment

Faith, hope, love

For we eagerly await through the Spirit, by faith, the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love. (Galatians 5:5-6)

Faith working through love.

Is that what defines me?

Not fear of punishment for my failures.

Not worry about never being able to measure up.

But faith that my King loves me and has already accepted me.

Hope that in the midst of my failures, one day I will stand before him, blameless, spotless, free from accusation. (Colossians 1:22)

And a love that pours out of my life as a result, both for him and those around me.

Lord, let my life be marked by faith, hope, and love.

Grace giver?

It’s very interesting to me that for how hard Paul fought for the idea of salvation by grace for the Gentiles, when it came to his personal relationships, he failed to show grace to Mark.

Mark had failed Paul and Barnabas by abandoning them on their previous missionary journey.

Why Mark left is unclear, but whatever the reason, Paul was unwilling to give him a second chance.

It made me think: how often am I like Paul, failing to show grace to those who disappoint me, with those who fail to “measure up” to my standards? I can think of too many times.

I want to be a grace giver…especially in my personal relationships with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Are you a grace giver?

Perhaps the thing we all need to remember about our brothers and sisters in Christ when they disappoint us is this:

God knows their heart. And despite their weaknesses and failings, the Holy Spirit bears witness to them just he does with us, telling them, ‘You are God’s child.’

He makes no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. (Acts 15:8-9)

So though they fail us, let’s show them the same grace God has poured out on them…and us.