Grace Archives - To Live As Christ

Remember to love

July 31, 2017 by brianmichaelsteck Leave a Comment

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In a world where the voice of the accuser increases daily, I’m urged to remember to love.

Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain. And most fools do. Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People

It takes a small man to find a flaw, but a great man to overlook it.

Criticism is an easy accomplice, but brings with him disunity. In a day where Twitter wars flare and incite thousands to join in, I can’t help be hear the call of wisdom to return our swords to their sheaths and humbly offer forgiveness — perhaps as we’ve been forgiven.

I’m not saying to turn off your brain — there is still such a thing as right and wrong, though many would have us forget this. And I’m not saying that blind acceptance is the answer; disobedience of God’s law still leads to death. But, especially as believers, we must move towards love as our first response.

Today, offer benevolent grace to someone. Extend understanding to someone who doesn’t deserve it. And lest I sound like I’m beating the drum of hippie lovers of the 60’s, consider that it was Christ who first knelt, drawing unknown marks in the sand, and replied, “Let the one who has no sin throw the first stone.” [John 8:7]

Thankful we don’t get what we deserve

January 1, 2015 by brianmichaelsteck Leave a Comment

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.—Lamentations 3:22-23

There are times that I peek over the fence to see the “green grass” of my neighbor’s yard, or grumble along in my frustrations, wrongly presuming that I deserve better. I think to myself, “Why does life have to be so hard? I’m not a bad person.”

In reality, this thinking is quite foolish. When I slow my mind and my heart and think soberly about the situation, I realize that I don’t deserve anything. My heart, if left to itself, would only produce selfish desires and pride.

If I was given what I deserved, most days I’d get a swift wrapping upside the head; and truly, if God were to give me what I deserve for my “faithfulness”, His consuming fire would put a quick end to this life.

Yet, in His love, He has faithfully pursued me. He has sacrificially given Himself for me, as restitution for my disobedience. He has forgiven me with an undying love.

I deserve death, but He has broken the mold of “justice” and given me life instead; and His mercies are new every morning. Hallelujah!

Our fleeting grasp of grace

April 1, 2014 by brianmichaelsteck Leave a Comment

Trembling, I stood before the judge in my crisp suit, trying to make the best impression. With eyes tearing and a quaky voice, I answered all of her questions. I hadn’t slept much the night before and had been shaky with fear for what her judgement would be.

The crime wasn’t really even my fault, yet I knew the responsibility lay on my shoulders and that there could be both expensive and potentially painful consequences.

We had invited a detoxing heroine addict to be a guest of our home. As he writhed in pain and overcame the terrible addiction, our hearts broke for him. I had allowed him to use my car to apply for a job, which had given opportunity for a drive downtown, a relapse, an arrest and eventually this court scene.

My car was impounded. Heroine needles had been found in my car and I was sure that somehow I was going to get pinned with this crime. I was paralyzed with fear and completely at the grace of this judge. Without ceasing, I prayed under my breath for mercy and that the judge would have wisdom to see the reality of the situation.

This fear that gripped me bears a striking resemblance to the fear that binds our hearts in regards to grace. So many of us Christians are striving, clutching — trying to maintain hold of our fleeting grasp of grace. We push so hard to earn God’s favor. When we feel we do, we can’t enjoy it, because the fear of losing it slips in.

What if we let go and invited God to take over… completely?

What if we forgave ourselves for the sins that God has already forgiven ourselves for?

What if we stopped trying to work for God’s approval? Do you believe He loves you just how you are… that he made an “as-is” purchase?

Friends, we are no longer slaves to sin. Nor are we slaves to guilt and shame.

We cannot earn our salvation. The moment we try, it is as if we clench our fists around a fleeting grasp of grace and try to muster up strength to keep hold of God’s favor. But Abba’s favor is more like floodwaters or torrential rain that pours over us. We cannot escape it, nor harness it as if we have earned it.

God’s grace towards us was purchased solely by His sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ, on that Golgatha cross. Your good works didn’t raise Him from the dead — and they won’t free you from your guilt.

Christ’s life overcame death and He will free you from your guilt and striving. He calls you to relinquish your fleeting grasp of grace, stretch out your arms and bask in His Father’s torrential, loving downpour of grace.

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Remember to love

Thankful we don’t get what we deserve

Our fleeting grasp of grace