Day Two. Principle: Grace
Scripture:
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2
Thoughts:
We envision Village to be a church where failure connects with grace, as we are all welcomed into God's arms, despite our sins.
God's Word tells us that God is capable of, even passionate about, putting broken people back together again. That's the main message of the gospel, the reason for the Cross. Most of us know this, but we often overlook that His most important instrument for piecing brokenness back together is the church.
Too often the image of the church is that of people who are better at dis-gracing than extending grace. We have resolved that Village must be a place of restoration, of grace covering failure. After all, we are all walking wounded. At times we may wonder if our world can ever be rebuilt. God's answer is yes—if the church is true to its real purpose.
What will it take?
- We need to position ourselves to receive the Spirit's fullness. "You who are spiritual," you who are keeping in step with the Spirit, need to be positioned to receive the Spirit's fullness.
- We need to submit ourselves to release the Spirit's forgiveness and show grace. Let's never forget that the Spirit fills us not to be stored up but to be released. We tend to write off people who disappoint, but we must remember that God has made room for us. Unless we make the same room, broken worlds do not get rebuilt. We need to extend hope, minister grace, confront sin, acknowledge weakness, and hold up broken people.
Reflection:
Am I positioned to receive the Spirit's fullness? Do I offer forgiveness and show grace when others disappoint me?
Prayer:
Lord, help me to be full of grace, open to receiving your Spirit's fullness, overflowing grace to those around me. Give me eyes to see those needing grace and boldness to extend Your love to those in need.
