Representative Grace (Esther 2:17)

Today’s scripture: Esther 2:17

All the other passages we’ve seen over the last few weeks about grace focus on God’s grace to us; however, I couldn’t help but include this one reference to grace because it is from one of my favorite stories.

I love how Esther was so faithful to the God of her people; she truly represented her God as she “obtained grace and favor” from the king.

She was in such a precarious position: a young Jewess living in the palace of her people’s enemy. Yet, she was so humble—a Christ-like quality—that she was chosen to be queen.

And when her people were threatened, she had God-given courage to approach the king even if she lost her life in doing so (Esther 4:16). She knew God would be gracious to her people, and her trust Him led to an overthrowing of the plan to annihilate her people.

May we be both humble and courageous both to represent “grace and favor” to those around us and to do what God calls us to do.

Feeling Inadequate ... (2 Timothy 2:23-26)

Today’s scripture: 2 Timothy 2:23-26

Sometimes I read the Bible about how I as a follower of Christ am supposed to behave, and I think, “There’s no way …”

Today’s verses are no exception.

I’m to not be quarrelsome. I’m to be kind to all. I’m to be able to teach (oh … that’s not so bad!). I’m to be patient when wrong. I’m to gently correct those who are in opposition.

Really? Nothing like feeling totally inadequate.

And I am inadequate—on my own, that is. Praise God, I’m not alone in this journey. The Holy Spirit is in me to help me be all God the Father has created me to be. When I feel quarrelsome, I can ask for a heart of peace. When I feel unkind, I can ask for compassion. When I want revenge, I can ask for the ability to forgive.

Why do I want to be kind and patient with others anyway? So that, by Christ’s example shining through me, others might want the same peace and compassion I feel. They may want to know about my Savior. They may seek repentance.

And by my Christ-like behavior, they may “come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil.”

And if that’s the end result? Striving to be kind and patient and compassionate—even when it totally goes against my fleshly nature—is totally worth it!

Jesus in the Flesh (1 Timothy 5:24-25)

Today’s scripture: 1 Timothy 5:24-25

Some people think that one day they’ll stand before God, and He’ll have this big scale. On one side, He’ll put all the sins they committed, and on the other side, the good they did. Then, as long as the good outweighs the bad, they’ll get into heaven.

Of course, if you study the Bible, you know this is patently untrue. Praise God, our entrance into heaven isn’t based on what good we do. It’s solely based on God’s grace (see Eph. 2:8-9).

But even if the good we do on earth doesn’t save us or get us into heaven, we’re still to do good deeds. We’re to serve God by serving others. Volunteering at the local soup kitchen. Going on short-term missions. Spending time reading to the elderly. Helping out at community outreach events. Lending an ear and a shoulder to the hurting. Encouraging spiritual siblings to grow in faith.

Serving God in these ways strengthens our faith and pleases our Father. And it also allows the world to see Jesus Christ in the flesh. People are attracted by selfless service, and our doing good deeds goes a long way to help convince the world of Christ’s love for them.

What are you doing to serve others? How are you being Jesus Christ in the flesh to your community?

God's Desire (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

Today’s scripture: 1 Timothy 2:3-4

Friday, we talked about how we, as children of God, should pray for everyone, including our leaders. Today, Paul reminds us of why: because doing so is “good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.” Doing so pleases our Lord God.

But I want to focus on the second of today’s verses. God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

A similar verse is 2 Peter 3:9. God’s heart is for all men to come into relationship with Him. So why are there comparatively so few who choose to follow Him? If it’s God’s desire for all to be saved, why do we have so many friends and family members who aren’t?

Because our loving Father gave us the choice to follow Him. Some don’t want to give up control of their lives. Some are too enamored with the world’s temptations. And some have never really heard the truth.

What can we do? Well, we can certainly pray as we’re commanded. But we can also be Christ’s light to those around us. We can share God’s truth to everyone in our circle of influence. And some of us can even answer God’s call to go out into the world to minister to others.

Just as it is our Father’s heart that all should come to salvation, so should our hearts desire the same.

A Tall Order ... (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8)

Today’s scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8

Jesus said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). He went on to say. “… love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

As followers of Christ, we are to love one another. We are to be kind and gentle. We should show compassion. Throughout the gospels, we see how Jesus cared for others.

He showed compassion to the woman caught in adultery (John 8:11) and to the woman with a flow of blood (Matthew 9:22). He was gentle when he met the Samaritan woman in her shame (John 4:1-26).  He grieved with Martha and Mary (John 11:35).

And Jesus’ heart broke when He saw the rebellion of His people: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Luke 13:34).

So as Jesus showed compassion and gentleness, we should do the same. We should treat our brothers and sisters with affection and kindness, loving them as we love ourselves. Even more, loving them as Jesus loves us.

Bold AND Gracious (Colossians 4:5-6)

Today's scripture: Colossians 4:5-6

I’m going to be honest with you … One area I struggle with is being bold to share the gospel. I certainly don’t hide the fact that I’m a believer, but I’ve never been one to go up to a stranger and start talking about Jesus. Yes, I know that I don’t have the gift of evangelism, but I should be more vocal about my faith, sharing God’s truth with grace.

I’m often convicted when I read how bold Peter and John were in Acts 3-4. No matter what obstacles they faced, they couldn't "stop speaking about the things" they saw and heard (4:20). They were bold, yes, but they spoke to unbelievers with grace and truth.

I remember how Jesus spoke with unbelievers and seekers. He was always loving and gracious. The Samaritan woman. Nicodemus. Zaccheus. The throngs that would surround Him when He spoke.

The only time He showed righteous anger was when He was dealing with religious hypocrites. Then all bets were off. But as long as the person with whom He was speaking showed a genuine desire to know His truth, He answered questions with all the love He had for them.

I've been praying for boldness to share truth for quite a while now, and God answers this prayer bit by bit. I'm reminded, though, of how Pete and John were bold, yet loving. And how my Lord was exactly the same.

Be bold to tell truth, but temper it with love and grace. 

Act Like Your Father (Ephesians 5:1-2)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 5:1-2

Walk in love. A continual, deliberate action.

Love as Jesus loves, giving ourselves to others just as Jesus gave Himself for us.

And why?

Well, first, because we’re commanded to do so as God’s children. But there’s a better blessing for us when we love as Jesus does.

Our love for others is given as an offering to God. And sometimes it is a sacrifice. When we love as Jesus loves us, we offer a “fragrant aroma” to God. And He is well-pleased.

When we love, we “are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing …” (2 Corinthians 2:15). Others look at us and see how God’s love flows through us. A love that is kind and patient and forbearing. A love that doesn’t hold grudges and isn’t jealous. (See 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.)

How many people might be attracted to Jesus because they see a sacrificial, other-serving love in us? Instead of judgment, they see mercy. Instead of anger, they see peace. Instead of hate, they see love.

As I wrote Wednesday, it could change the world.

Walk the Talk (2 Corinthians 10:7-11)

Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:7-11

You’ve heard the phrase, “Walk the talk”? It means, of course, that our actions should mirror our words. The opposite is, “Do as I say, not as I do.”

Paul wrote several times about how one should behave the same, no matter who else may be around. He wrote to the Christians at Philippi: “What I’m getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you’ve done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up” (2:12, MSG).

We are Christ’s, and both our words and our actions should reflect Him. We should, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life …” (Philippians 2:14-16a, NKJV).

Inwardly growing to be more like Christ. Outwardly reflecting His attributes of love, grace, gentleness, and mercy.

Indeed, walking the talk.

Glorifying God in Everything (1 Corinthians 10:31-33)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31-33

Today's devotional is short, but (I hope) sweet. I just have one thing to ask: What would it be like if we only we lived to do everything to the glory of God.

Everything.

What we think. What we say. What we do. All for God’s glory.

Quite a few years ago, the initials WWJD were wildly popular: What Would Jesus Do? The idea behind it was exactly verse 31 says: "do all to the glory of God."

Loving others. Treating them with gentleness, kindness, and patience. Looking beyond our differences and celebrating the similarities.

Serving God—heart, soul, mind, and strength. Seeking His will. Following His plan.

Praising Him. Worshipping Him.

Glorifying Him.

In everything. 

Just Love ... (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

How often do we really try to “walk in the shoes” of another? Instead of looking for what’s different, how often do we look for similarities?

Too often, we point fingers and judge rather than just love and being Christ.

Paul knew that caring for others and being “all things to all men” was important to attract unbelievers to Christ:

Though he would transgress no laws of Christ, to please any man, yet he would accommodate himself to all men, where he might do it lawfully, to gain some. Doing good was the study and business of his life; and, that he might reach this end, he did not stand on privileges. We must carefully watch against extremes, and against relying on anything but trust in Christ alone. We must not allow errors or faults, so as to hurt others, or disgrace the gospel. (Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible)

We need to go where unbelievers are and love them. And if you think about it, isn’t that exactly what Jesus Himself did? Didn’t He eat with prostitutes and touch lepers’ wounds?

Just as He did, just as Paul did, we can love others so they can find the truth of the gospel.