Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

July 13
Sunday


"NO GRACE"

READ:
1 Peter 4:1-11
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The discretion of a
man makes him slow
to anger, and his
glory is to overlook a
transgression.
__Proverbs 19:11
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I have nicknamed our car "No Grace." Sunday mornings are the worst. I load the car with all the stuff I need for church, get myself in my seat, close the door, and Jay starts backing out of the garage. While I am still getting settled, the seat belt warning starts buzzing. "Please," I say to it, "all I need is another minute." The answer, apparently, is no, because it continues buzzing until I am buckled in.

This minor annoyance is a good reminder of what life would be like if indeed there were no grace. Each if us would immediately be called to account for every indiscretion. There would be no time for repentance or change of behavior. There would be no forgiveness. No mercy. No hope.

Living in this world sometimes feels like falling into a no-grace sinkhole. When minor flaws are blown up into major indiscretions or when people refuse to overlook the faults and offenses of others, we end up burdened by the weight of guilt that we were never meant to carry. God, in His grace, sent Jesus to carry the burden for us. Those who receive God's gift of grace have the privilege of offering it to others on Christ's behalf: "Above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins' " (1 Peter 4;8). __Julie Ackerman link

``````````````````Father God, the culture around us can seem so```````````````````
``````````````````harsh and hard on people when they fall. Help``````````````````
````````````````me to show grace and patience, because You have``````````````````
```````````````````been gracious to me and have forgiven my sin.``````````````````
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When we gratefully acknowledge the grace we've
received, we joyfully give it to those in need.

******************************Today's Bible Reading __ 1 Peter 4:1-11****************************
1 Therefore, since Christ
suffered for us in the flesh,
arm yourselves also with
the same mind, for he who
has suffered in the flesh has
ceased from sin, 2 that he
no longer should live the
rest of his time in the flesh
for the lusts of men, but for
the will of God. 3 For we
have spent enough of our
past lifetime in doing the
will of the Gentiles__when
we walked in lewdness,
lusts, drunkenness,
revelries, drinking parties,
and abominable idolatries.

4 In regard to these, they
think it strange that you do
not run with them in the
same flood of dissipation,
speaking evil of you.

5 They will give an account
to Him who is ready to
judge the living and the
dead. 6 For this reason the
gospel was preached also to
those who are dead, that
they might be judged
according to men in the
flesh, but live according to
God in the spirit.

7 But the end of all things
is at hand; therefore be
serious and watchful in
your prayers. 8 And above
all things have fervent love
for one another, for "love
will cover a multitude of
sins." 9 Be hosptiable to
one another without
grumbling. 10 As each one
has received a gift, minister
it to one another, as good
stewards of the manifold
grace of God. 11 If anyone
speaks, let him speak as the
oracles of God. If anyone
ministers, let him do it as
with the ability which God
supplies, that in all things
God may be glorified
through Jesus Christ, to
whom belong the glory and
the dominion forever and
ever. Amen.