2024

Thriving Under Grace

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

“… because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,” Colossians 1:5-6

Sin condemns. Grace regenerates.

We live in a society quick to condemn others for their behavior. We see the ugliness of evil and seek someone to blame. We feel guilty for our privileged surroundings. So we virtue signal to relieve the condemnation. Our culture standards of self-righteousness separate the moral elitists from the castaways.

But enter Jesus Christ.

No worldly status. No governmental power. No monetary influence. But someone speaking the truth in love. His message of divine grace empowered the individual. Yet many of us fail to practice grace according to God’s manner.

Grace is God’s unmerited favor. Humanity tries to duplicate God’s grace, but falls short. They emphasize half the formula while ignoring the other side. They speak of grace, but ignore the truth. For grace without truth leads to chaos. But truth with grace leads to regeneration.

Truth produces consequences. Grace without consequences leads to abuse. Consequences teaches accountability and responsibility. Both are the foundation for character development. To thrive in life requires healthy character. The ability to exercise will power for the sake of preserving the self and others. That is why:

When an evil act goes unpunished, corruption increases.

When an evil act is condemned, truth is preserved.

When an evil act is rectified, justice prevails.

When an evil act is forgiven, grace abounds.

When grace abounds, the soul regenerates. But grace without truth destroys. Truth aligns with reality. Reality demonstrates consequences for one’s actions. When one lives within the boundaries of Godly morality, love and respect for each other is shown. Truth understands the importance of wholesome character. Truth sees past the color of one’s skin and focuses on the content of one’s character. Since humanity is made in the image of God, God’s character is the standard to imitate.

Grace is the means to motivate one to continue picking up one’s life after each failure. Grace is the license to repeatedly fail until the lesson is learned. The lesson is to build the virtuous character patterned after our heavenly Father. To thrive under grace is to know God loves you and is rooting for you.

Your failures are only the building blocks toward becoming the person you are wired to be. As you mature, you understand grace is God’s love poured out for you to walk in the truth. To share HIS life with others. To prepare you for eternity. To enrich you in HIS way of life.

I am always encouraged to read the last sentence in the Bible.   

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” (Rev. 22:21)

It reminds me of our privilege to live under God’s grace. To not only live, but thrive. To thrive and allow HIS grace to regenerate our soul.

In summary: to thrive and endure to the end under HIS grace is the best place to be under the sun.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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The Prison of Unforgiveness

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;  Romans 4:7

“Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,”  Luke 17:3

“ if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” Luke 17:4

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matt. 6:14-15

Why do you think Jesus emphasize forgiveness in relationships?  He not only spoke about the subject, but also demonstrated the action. When hanging on the cross in those final earthly moments, HE forgave those crucifying him (Lk. 23:34).

What happens in life when one doesn’t forgive others for any abuse caused by them?

My mom was a prisoner of war during WW2. At sixteen she was taken away from her family in Ukraine to Germany. There she spent almost five years working in a prison labor camp. She wouldn’t talk much about the ordeal with us, but we saw the scars.

She remained bitter against the people who harmed her. From the local Jewish people who sold their loyalty to the enemy, to the German enemy who enslaved her. She never forgave them for her pain. The bitterness remained with her till the end.

On the other hand, my father also was a prisoner of war. He served in the Polish army. He was captured and spent the majority of the war also enslaved in a labor camp. After the war though, he met mom. They married. Packed up their bags. And traveled to America to start a new life. Dad put everything behind him. Left the family farm and blacksmith business to start a new life. They came to America with $3 in their name.

They both had life challenges. The difference was in their attitude and focus. Mom lived in the past. She would bring up those ugly events and relive them. She blamed others for her problems. She was a prisoner of the crimes committed against her. A true victim unwilling to escape.

Dad though, thank God for HIS interventions during the war. As painful a trial they were, he survived and grew from the experience. He walked humbly with confidence. He was a free man from his past and lived it. He raised a family. He lived and died fulfilling all his obligations. He left behind three sons each successful by worldly standards. But more importantly, walking with their God.

Mom remained in the unforgiveness prison till her death. She rarely experienced the joy and freedom Dad exemplified.

Forgiveness keeps relationships healthy. Forgiveness also allows God’s Spirit more room to maneuver your heart into a mirror image of Jesus.  Forgiveness keeps you free from the bondage of hatred. When one fails to forgive, one chooses to live in the confines of a spiritual prison cell. It is a lonely, gray place without comfort and hope.

Better to forgive and experience the freedom love offers, than to withdraw into one’s prison cell. When in doubt between two options, love is the best choice to make. To forgive is too love.

Unforgiveness leads to an emotional prison cell. Forgiveness allows you to remain free.  Jesus’ apprentices learn to forgive as HE did for us.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Books By Dr. Mike:

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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved