LIFTING OTHERS

How we treat others in thoughts, words and actions speaks volumes on how we view and treat the free mercy and grace we received from God [read 1 Peter 1:3].  The more we understand why Jesus sacrificed on the cross; why God took His only son as the sacrifice for our sin (for all time); and how God was able to give us mercy and grace we did not earn nor deserve, the more our treatment of others in our thoughts, words and actions will be influenced by this understanding [read Ephesians 2:8-9].  Jesus paid the price so we could receive God’s free gift of mercy and grace for our eternal salvation [read John 3:16-17].  Free to us but not free to Jesus who suffered and died for the payment required.  When we understand the magnitude of all this, we will be more understanding on how deal with other people; we will be more understanding to their humanness; and we will be more incentivized to show through our actions and words how forgiven we are by an eternal Father who loves us unconditionally and without limit [read 1 John 3:1].  As forgiven people we must demonstrate and show forgiveness to others.  That we are called to be slow to anger and abounding in steadfast (determined, firm, loyalty, faithful, and committed) love [read Psalm 103:8]  As grace filled people we must demonstrate and show grace to others [read Galatians 2:20].  As people who received mercy from God, we must demonstrate and show mercy to others [1 John 4:9-10].  We make God’s mercy and grace alive in our life by extending the impacts of these free gifts to others. When I lift others, I rise.