Date: Sunday, July 13, 2014
Today's Chapters: Proverbs 24-26
Message Title: That's What Grace Is For

Jesus teaches us to love those who hate us, be kind to those who deceive us, and take care of those who hurt us. At the same time we are also taught to separate ourselves from the enemy. So, how are we to show kindness to our enemy, yet remain separated from them? Grace. It is God's grace that gives us the power through Jesus to love and be separated from the enemy. “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” - 2 Corinthians 12:8-10.

Grace, the unmerited favor of God, meaning we do not have to earn it, God gives it to us freely. Treating others kindly, even when they wrong us is probably the bravest, most strongest act of grace we can have. It is only through God's grace that we can love our enemies and do good to those who despise us. And while we may want to get even with our offender from time to time, it's God's grace that keeps us from doing so. Do not think that our kindness does not return void, God is always watching. “Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked: For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.” - Proverbs 24:15-20.

While we as Christians might fall from time to time, God's grace is what picks us back up and gets us going and moving on. Those who have wronged us with no intention of making things right will fall further and further into their own destruction.“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” - Galatians 6:7-9.

Having grace toward others will never return void, but we can still avoid some of the people that cause us to get into messes in the first place. While we are to love all, that doesn't mean we are to dwell with all, we have to be careful who we allow in our lives. Our judgment can become severely impaired when we allow ourselves to dwell with those who really do not care about us. “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.” - Proverbs 25:19-22.

These verses touch my heart dearly because I am a witness to them, my judgment was severely impaired when I allowed an unfaithful man to dwell in my house. Deep down I knew I was headed for disaster, but I allowed it, and of course, in the end I was the one that suffered. My first reaction was to get revenge and I got it, but all it did was make things worse. However, once I turned my hatred into kindness he began suffering, and still is. I do not know what he is doing today, but I do know that God will always take care of His people even if our grace goes sour. “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” - Romans 12:17-21.

We all have a little bit of wicked in us, we are just as capable of doing to them what has been done to us. So, while we have no room to judge anyone for their wrongs we have room to make the right judgment about them. Keep in mind who it is you are dealing with, if it is someone that is a complete liar and really has no intention of keeping their word, get away before you really get hurt. “He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.” - Proverbs 26:24-28.

The word dissemble means to hide under false appearance, it is someone who appears to be nice and caring, just to get the things they want from you, but is the opposite. Never let the fact that you are a Christian cause you to make bad decisions because someone abuses your grace and kindness. You have heard the phrase, “I thought you were a Christian?” That is not someone who cares about you, if they did they would not have you do something that goes against your integrity or faith. I learned the hard way that some people will never change, not because God does not have the power to do so, but because they refuse to take responsibility for their own actions. Thank God that He never changes, and is always there with His grace to get us through. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” - Hebrews 13:8,9.

Today's Prayer: God, I still have a hard time understanding how Your grace is enough to keep me saved. All the wrong I have done, yet You still love me and forgive me no matter how many times I mess up. Thank You for that and for Your love and mercy toward me too. Lord, give me the grace I need to be loving and forgiving to those who have wronged me, let me not be envious, angry, or bitter, but loving, compassionate, and helpful to them. Give me Your power and strength to do what I need to do to find pleasure in my infirmities through You, my Savior. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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