Defiantly, Unashamedly, Generously — Extend Grace Generously - Friday
TODAY’S VERSE
Matthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (ESV)
This past Saturday, I was the beneficiary of one of God’s best gifts: great friends! For a while, we’ve had this annoying rattle in our van. Despite several attempts to eliminate the problem and prevent further damage, we couldn’t solve the case — until this past weekend! With the help of a few YouTube videos, my friend Joey and his dad put my van on a lift, diagnosed the problem, and replaced the part. Now, there’s silence when we drive the van — which is music to our ears!
After that, my friend Mark came over and helped me attach a swingset and monkey bars to this large fort I’ve been piecemealing together in my backyard. Mark has a lot of experience in construction along with a “we’ll figure it out” attitude — which are two things I tend to lack. Mark and Joey are just a couple of the many talented friends I’ve connected with at Southland who have helped me finish projects I could never have completed on my own. I’m so grateful for the blessing of God’s people and the unique gifts we can offer one another to build each other up.
In yesterday’s devo, we read from Paul that we are created for good works! And in his “great commission” to His disciples, Jesus says our main work is to make disciples. We are to share the gospel with people who don’t know Jesus, and then walk alongside them as they learn how to follow Him. But Jesus doesn’t stop at the command to “Go.” He offers one final grace to us in His parting words.
The greatest gift we receive as we go and make disciples is that Jesus goes with us! We aren’t sent on a solo mission left to fend for ourselves. Jesus says, “I am with you always.” In the same way I struggle to tackle a construction project by myself, I also face a lot of fears and doubts when I consider sharing the good news with non-believers. Most often, I let those fears keep me from extending grace generously when I forget that Jesus is going with me, and that He’s the one doing the miraculous work of convicting and changing the hearts of people far from Him.
We’re just the vehicle to bring the good news; Jesus is the one empowering us to go. He’s the One doing the actual work, and He’s with us every step of the way. Let us go, extend grace generously, and let Jesus do what only He can do.
APPLICATION
Who is the one more in your life that you’re still hesitant to extend grace generously to? Aaron mentioned three things that may be holding you back: You’re still not convinced grace is enough, you may not be healed, or you lack a sense of urgency. Consider what you need to do to get to a place where you can share the good news of Jesus, and then do it!
PRAYER
God, thank You for not only giving me a mission in Your Kingdom but also for going with me on that mission. Give me boldness to go out with the confidence of Your Holy Spirit empowering me. Help me rely on You every step of the way. God, use me as a vehicle to bring lost people back into Your family. Amen.