Retrospect Is A Wonderful Thing
Sorry for the interruption to 2 Corinthians. Linda Bailey is away from her computer for this week.
Here is one of her favourite reflections from Ephesians.
When we start to understand how awesome God’s grace is we certainly feel humbled at his love for us.
Ephesians 1.1-14
Reference: v.8 …that he lavished on us (grace) with all wisdom and understanding. (NIV Bible)
Explore: “I would have acted differently if I had have known.” How often do we think this? You look back and realise that if at the beginning you had the knowledge you have now, you would have acted quite differently. Retrospect is a wonderful thing!
That is where God’s grace is so amazing. He knew human nature, he knew how destructive and greedy and selfish we can be. And yet he still sent Jesus to this earth and allowed him to be sacrificed so that all of humanity could be saved. He knew us and yet still loved us!
Application: When we start to understand how awesome God’s grace is we certainly feel humbled at his love for us. I guess it can also be a bit of a kick in the pants for us. How often do we judge others quickly only to find out their particular circumstances afterwards? It’s so easy to do. I know that often, when I am working in schools there will be one child that constantly plays up. It’s so easy to get frustrated and annoyed at the child. But then you discover that she’s the youngest of six, her mother is unwell and her father is having to work two jobs to make ends meet. With that knowledge you can understand why a young child is seeking attention. So often we jump to conclusions with a surface glance and don’t bother to look deeper into a situation. God looks deeper. He is more concerned with what is going on in our hearts than our outward appearance. May we be thankful for his grace and be willing to share it with others.
Prayer: Lord, your grace is beyond our understanding. Thank you for knowing us and yet still loving us. Amen.
How has God’s grace changed your life?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.