Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Eph. 4:2 NLT
Paul wrote these words to the church in the city of Ephesus approximately 2000 years ago. In his succinct manner, he defined the concept of grace as something that we should not only experience as a gift from God, but share with others “because of our love”.
How often are we impatient with others’ annoying habits, judgmental tones or ignorance of things we consider important? Have we considered that, in making allowance for each other’s faults we are doing the same thing that God does for us because of Jesus’ sacrifice?
How much greater a gift can we give to someone than to accept them, flaws and all? And how much do we long for that type of acceptance from our spouses, children, neighbors and even the strangers we interact with each day?
Extending grace to others, much like extending forgiveness, does not mean we ignore shortcomings or offenses against us. It is actually the opposite, loving others with the full knowledge of their imperfections. This is the higher love that does not come naturally, but is asked of us nevertheless.
“The Gateway to Christianity is not through an intricate labyrinth of dogma, but by a simple belief in the person of Christ.” –Norman Vincent Peale
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