Relationship is key

See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God. (Hebrews 12:15) 

Imagine yourself as a teenager again. You’ve asked your father to give you and your friends a ride to the movies, but all he does is look into your eyes in silence. Then a grin flashes across his face. Reaching into his pocket, he hands you the keys to his brand new car. “It’s all yours tonight,” he tells you. “Be careful.” Your emotions swirl as you turn the ignition—elation, awe, and a healthy dose of fear! You have been entrusted with an object of great value. 

This illustration is not far from reality, because God has given you something even more precious than a new car. He has entrusted you with his grace. And he has entrusted you with the mission of sharing that grace with everyone around you. “See to it,” he says, “that no one be deprived of the grace of God” (Hebrews 12:15). 

So how do we spread God’s grace? Well, let’s consult the owner’s manual—the Bible! This verse comes in the middle of a call to live in unity with each other. Relationships are key! As we treat others in the profoundly merciful manner that God treats us, they’ll experience God’s grace, and that grace will move them closer to him. 

Scripture exhorts us: “Strive for peace with everyone . . . that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble” (Hebrews 12:14, 15). Do you have a relationship that isn’t at peace? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you extend grace to that person—no matter who is right or wrong. Pray for that person. In your heart, offer forgiveness. It may help to even say it out loud. Or maybe you need to ask for forgiveness. Ask God for the grace to do it, and then go out of your way to serve that person. Don’t expect anything in return. Just focus on the privilege of handling God’s precious grace.

“Lord, may your grace flow through me to everyone I meet today.”

from wau.org