A Grace that All Can Understand

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.”
Jesus

Father, thank you for your word, for the wonderful gift that it is to have it, to be able to open it and read it, and meditate on it and be transformed by its power. Thank you, Lord.

These words that you said for us to take heed, are hard words in deed. Sometimes we live a relaxed life full of grace, without paying attention to words like these, words that call us to live in grace a more demanding life of love.

I ask you forgiveness for the words that have come out from my mouth and have hurt others.
Forgive me for the times in which I have been so angry at my children, at my husband, at my brothers and sisters that I reacted in a sinful way against them.
Forgive me, Father, for those times when I have left people hurting without asking for their forgiveness.
Forgive me for the lie that many times I have believed, the lie that says that “it is not my place to seek for a way to make a reconciliation happen.”
Forgive me when I forget that it is blessed to be a peace-maker,
and remind me that peace making is not passive,
that it always moves towards making every effort to live peaceably with others.

Father, remind me that the best offering, the best gift I can bring to you is a heart that knows how to ask for forgiveness, and how to forgive.

Don’t ever let me forget, O Lord, how much you have forgiven me.
How it was you seeking out to me.
How Jesus, on the cross, reconciled to Himself all things whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Help me live a live full of grace, Lord.

To you be the glory forever and ever,

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Becky