The Lens of Grace
Acts 4:32-33
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them.
The members of the early church had a bond of love among themselves that saw each other through the lens of grace. No one thought they were better or more deserving than another. They knew they had each been forgiven of much, therefore, they loved much.
To have this type of bond, you must be able to see yourself and others through the lens of grace. If you still think you have a need to make up for something or to prove something to someone, you are not looking at yourself through the lens of grace. While you may sense a need for grace, you actually still have a law mindset that tries to compensate for past failures.
Ananias and Sapphira sold their property but held back a portion of the profits. They were struck dead for lying to the Holy Spirit. Ananias means Jah has favored (grace). Sapphira comes from a Hebrew word meaning to scratch, tally or keep score (law). You cannot combine grace and the need to keep score because the two don’t mix. Grace keeps no record of wrongs, and trying to keep something you think you deserve denies the need for grace. You can’t mix the law and grace and have true Christianity. That is why God struck them dead.
Choose to live by grace today. Consider your own need for grace, and thank God for His Son. Extend the grace God has so lavishly given you to others. You don’t deserve grace any more than the next person, and you can never pay for your own sin. Accept His grace today, and become a giver of grace. You will find yourself free to love and unite with others who have found the same grace.
Have a blessed day!