Life or Death: the Power to ChooseSample

Day 4: Grace Choice

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). I can choose pride and face God’s resistance, or I can be humble enough to accept His grace. Not a trick question and not a difficult decision. In the same way, I can choose to extend the same grace to others that I have been freely given.

We are called, even commanded, to forgive and to exhibit grace with our fellow man. Grace and forgiveness do not always equate to acceptance and tolerance. We can be offended and graciously forgive, but not tolerate and accept that person in our lives. Mostly, we extend that grace because it enables an open pathway to the Father’s blessing. Otherwise, unforgiveness and prideful bitterness create a barrier between our hearts and God’s merciful nature.

Choosing the detour away from resentment and hate is choosing to live like Christ and choosing His path. Our Pastor says, “Life’s too short, God’s too good, and the Kingdom’s too important to harbor ill will or and unforgiving heart toward people.” My family was forced to put our money where our mouth is several years ago when my dad’s sister was murdered by her husband on Valentine’s Day. It wrecked the entire family because none of us saw this coming. In shock, we watched the trial unfold and felt the rage rise within us. Once he was convicted and the life sentence confirmed, it was back to life as usual for most of us, but now full of anger, hate, resentment, and bitterness that accompanies a desire for violent revenge.

Not a Christian at the time, it took years for me to even conceptualize, much less consider, forgiveness as an option. Once I understood that it was only hurting me and my relationship with God, and all He had planned for my blessed life and destiny, I came to terms with the need to forgive. Forgiveness and grace frees our spirits and untangled the lines of communication with our Heavenly Father. We all have a choice, even if supremely difficult, to walk a higher path on higher ground as followers of Christ.

Get honest:

Who do you still hold bitterness and resentment against and how does God honor forgiveness?