In celebration of the Christmas season, I want to talk about someone who is a big inspiration, a friend, a supporter, a good listener, a pick-me-up when I am down, and someone who always forgives me no matter how badly I screw things up. I want to talk about Jesus, and who he is 2,008 years later.
I often wonder what Jesus would look like if he were walking here on earth today. He definitely wouldn’t be wearing a robe and sandals, but I think he would still have a beard and some shaggy hair. What kind of clothes would Jesus wear? I think he would be kind of trendy, wearing a cool pair of jeans, an awesome tee, and maybe a hoodie if it were kind of chilly outside. Would I recognize Jesus if he walked by me on the sidewalk? We say he knows each and every one of us, does that mean he would stop and talk to me, ask me what’s up, say my name and give me advice on life? Would Jesus eat dinner with my friends and I, just shooting the breeze and talking about whatever? I often wonder what Jesus would do when he walks by a homeless guy on the sidewalks of 7th. I don’t always give them money, but I usually acknowledge them and say hey. Is that the right thing to do? Is that what he would do?
Two of Jesus’ many qualities that I really wish I could show more of in myself are limitless grace and eternal, or ever-lasting, forgiveness.
What is grace? Christians see grace as being God’s unmerited or undeserved favor. However, grace is more than that. It’s courteous goodwill, it’s a polite manner, and it’s even a talent or blessing. How many of us really show people any kind of grace on a consistent basis? Sure, we all have favorite people who we love and hang out with more than others, but that’s not really showing grace. Christians tend to put a limit on Gods grace. We think it’s reserved just for those who love him, and not an amazing gift for everyone. The truth is that Jesus died for everyone’s sins. He died for you, me, the non-believers, the thieves and the murderers. His grace is limitless in that he gives it everyone, no matter their background. I think that if Jesus were here today he would still show unbelievable grace. He wouldn’t just go to church-to-church meeting all the Christians and thanking them for their faithfulness. I think he’d walk to streets, visit the prisons, and get to know those who are furthest for him. Just as Jesus did, we need to stop putting a limit on our own grace. We need to be more polite to others, we need to honor others, and we need love others, even if we feel they do not deserve any of it, for it is when we put a limit to grace, that we have no grace at all.
It is so easy to forgive someone for something small. Someone bumps into you on the street, they turn around and say, “sorry man,” you say, “oh no worries.” You instantly forgave them. But what if instead, someone bumps into on the street right after you picked up your freshly made venti cinnamon dulce latte from Starbucks, and to make it worse, the lid was loose and it spilled all over your brand new, white jacket that you saved up for months to buy? They say, “Ahh! I’m so sorry man”, you turn around and go off on them. What’s really the difference? It was the same bump, same amount of force, but this time you had coffee, and it ruined something of value to you. So what if Jesus was here today? I’m pretty sure that if someone bumped him, and spilled his coffee, he would chuckle, brush it off, and say, “No worries my brother.” Jesus instantly forgives everyone for anything, no matter the size of the crime. Forgiveness is one of the most difficult things to do. When we learn to freely forgive, we rid ourselves of all the negative thoughts and feelings toward those who wronged us that we keep inside. When we are free of all these, we are open to truly experience the joy and happiness that Jesus has in store for us.
Is it possible to promise someone that we will always forgive them, and always show them grace? Probably not, but it is possible to work on those two qualities within ourselves. This holiday when someone asks me what I want for Christmas, I’m going to consider telling them limitless grace, or eternal forgiveness.
Ephesians 3:20-21: “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us…”
Ryan
This is a solid perspective of who Jesus was and who He IS. He came to forgive and even more … to actually pay the price to guarantee we would be forgiven if we would simply trust Him.
You are exactly right. The 21st century church exists to live for and follow and serve Him.
Ephesians 2:8-9 remind us that it is by grace we are saved through faith, that doesn’t come from us. It is God’s gift. The thing we miss too often is that we aren’t just saved by grace, we are maintained day by day the same way. How can we do anything other than serve Him?
Part of our serving God is really forgiving. You’re right.