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Episode 19
When Paul taught the church at Corinth on forgiveness, he declared that whoever they forgave, he also forgave as a representative of Christ. What is interesting is that immediately in the next verse, he said ’so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are very familiar with his evil schemes’ (2 Cor 2:11). How true! The inability to forgive or to practise grace results in bitterness and vindictiveness. When bitterness, hatred, rivalry and an unforgiving spirit crop up in a church, division and dissension will soon follow. If there is no unity, there can be no tolerance. The devil will use the weapon of the attitudes of the heart to divide a church.
Do we take these injunctions seriously and solemnly or lightly and indifferently?
For if you forgive others the wrongs they have done, your heavenly father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, then your heavenly father will not forgive the wrongs that you have done (Matthew 6:14).
And if you stand praying, if you have a grievance against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you the wrongs you have done (Mark 11:25).
… Pardon and you will be pardoned (Luke 6:37).
And forgive us our sins, for we too forgive those who have done us wrong (Luke 11:4).
… If your brother does wrong, reprove him; and if he repents, forgive him. Even if he wrongs you seven times in a day and comes back to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry’, you are to forgive him (Luke 17:3).
Be tolerant with one another and forgiving, if any of you has cause for complaint: you must forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:13).
When I think of becoming a dispenser of God’s grace, the words of Jesus come to mind, ‘…Freely you have received, freely give’ (Matthew 10:8b).
To Practise Grace I must Experience Grace
I cannot practise grace unless I have experienced grace. I may read about grace. I may exegete on the word grace, hear sermons on grace and tell people where to find grace. But I cannot truly give grace till I have experienced grace for myself. The reason is simple: I cannot give to people what I don’t have. Grace cannot be experienced by proxy.
You will not be able to dispense God’s grace willingly until you have tasted his grace overwhelmingly. You can read all about grace but you will never be a willing dispenser of God’s grace till you have experienced it. You may give grace but that grace will never be out of the bountifulness of your heart. You may give it grudgingly.
Perhaps someone may ask say, I do not need to experience grace to know what grace is all about. If that is the case why did Jesus have to become a human being to experience what we are experiencing and yet was without sin? Why did the second person of the Trinity have to become a man to save us?
When you know this powerful but profound truth about grace, it will set you free from hating people and getting infuriated with pastors and church leaders when they appear harsh towards you. It makes you more understanding and tolerant of others who may not have drunk from the river of God’s grace. When you have experienced the grace of God overwhelmingly, you see things differently from God’s perspective. Only when the grace of God is operating in your lives can you then forgive people who hurt you so deeply. How do you love someone who betrays you? How do you tolerate a trusted friend who spreads lies, gossip and rumours about you? Grace is the answer.
Much is Given, Much is Required
The more one experiences God’s grace, the more one is required to give it away. Jesus said in conjunction with the work ethics of the servant, ‘Where someone has been given much, much will be expected of him; and the more has been entrusted to him, the more will be demanded of him’ (Luke 12:48). We can apply it to grace. The one who has experienced the overwhelming riches of God’s grace is required to exercise grace overwhelmingly. That is tough and difficult. It means you have to keep on exercising grace on people whom you think are ‘thorns in the flesh’.
In the story of Jesus and the sinful woman in Luke 7:36-50, Jesus made a statement ‘where little has been forgiven, little love is shown’ (verse 47). One who has experienced much the grace of God will have to show more grace and not less grace. One who has experienced little grace will show less grace.
Grace Changes People
The transforming power of grace is evident. Grace changes people more than wrath or judgement can. It is a powerful resource. Think about it. When you receive Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour and Lord, was it because of the fear of hell or the amazing love of Christ on the cross of Calvary? Some might have accepted Christ out of fear of hell but many of us can testify that it was God’s love that touched us. Furthermore, our hearts are touched by people who testify of the grace of God in their lives. Think what kind of church we would have if all of us seek to practise grace. Think what kind of home and office environment we have if grace were to be practised? Let me share four stories on the transforming power of grace.
John Newton
John Newton’s Amazing Grace penned in 1700’s is the most popular hymn because it talks about the power of God’s redeeming grace to change a person radically. When John was a boy, his godly mother dedicated him to the ministry. But she died when he was seven and he abandoned all religious teachings. He lived a wild life. He was put in irons and whipped publicly because he deserted the British Navy. He became master of a slave ship that transported slaves from Africa to America. He always carried a whip on one hand and a gun on the other. He drank heavily, engaged in debauchery and lust and sank to the depths of sin. In 1748, when he was twenty-three, a fierce storm threatened to sink the ship and kill everyone. That close encounter with death made him read Thomas a Kempis’ classic Imitation of Christ. It became the turning point in his life. The Holy Spirit convicted him of sin, and from his encounter with God, the song ‘Amazing Grace’ was written. He had never ceased to wonder at the marvellous grace of God that transformed a wretch like him.
Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind but now I see.
Elisha and the Aramaeans
In the story of Elisha and the Aramaeans (2 Kings 6:8-23), how Elisha practised grace on the enemies is very instructive. Instead of letting the king of Israel smite the enemies with swords, he had a feast prepared for them and sent them home with more food and water. The last verse reads, ‘From that time the Aramaean raids on Israel ceased’ (2 Kings 6:23). Grace changes people. Enemies can become our friends; hardened hearts can be changed by grace. Grace changes people more than Law.
Joseph Parker and Charles Spurgeon
Joseph Parker and Charles Haddon Spurgeon were pastors in the same city. Their personalities were very different. Spurgeon was fiery and quick-tempered; Parker was gentle and sweet-spirited. Spurgeon’s church ran an orphanage for boys. One day Parker said to some men, ‘We ought to help Spurgeon with his orphanage for there are times when the boys don’t have proper clothes, and I am sure they could use some food’. Someone later told a half-truth to Spurgeon that Parker had said the orphans didn’t have enough to eat and were poorly clothed. Next Sunday, Spurgeon berated and criticized Parker from the pulpit. A news reporter heard what Spurgeon had said and asked Parker if he intended to answer Spurgeon the following Sunday. With a smile, the great–hearted preacher agreed. The newspapers carried the story and next Sunday, Parker’s church was packed.
When the time came to receive the offering, Parker said, ‘Mr Spurgeon is sick today and not in his pulpit. This is the day he takes the offering for the orphanage, and I suggest to you that we take an offering for him here in our church, for he is doing a great work, and I am sure we would like to have a part in it’.
Discussion Questions