Thriving Under Grace

“… 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

“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)

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To Be and Not To Be

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. Eph. 5:1

As you read the Bible, God’s life-giving characteristics abound. Since you and I are created to reflect Him, I recently did a search on attributes which reflect God’s heart.  I ran a concordance on the word “BE”.

The list includes characteristics of godliness along with qualities which fail to reflect His goodness. When combined, you have a more complete picture of the kind of person HE wants you and me to become.

Remember, this is His workmanship. We either join Him in the process or refrain ourselves from His involvement. The choice is always ours to make.

If any trait jumps out at you, you may want to do further homework on the subject. There are more than these below. But these are the ones that jumped out at me. Reviewing the entire group can be overwhelming. So you may want to take one line per day and meditate on the impact in your life. Then repeat. Here they are:

  1. Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it (Gn.1:28)
  2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted (Matt. 5:4)
  3. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matt. 5:6).
  4. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God (Matt. 5:9).
  5. …whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:19)
  6. …be reconciled to your brother…(Matt. 5:24)
  7. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes” or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil (Matt.5:37)
  8. You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matt. 5:48)
  9. …so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Matt. 6:4).
  10. The greatest among you shall be your servant (Matt. 23:11).
  11. Whoever humbles himself will be exalted (Matt. 23:12).
  12. The one who endures to the end will be saved (Matt. 24:13)
  13. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance (Matt. 25:29).
  14. Whoever would be first among you must be slave of all (Mk. 10:44)
  15. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mk. 11:24).
  16. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful (Lk. 6:36)
  17. …give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Lk. 6:38)
  18. A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. (Lk.6:40)
  19. And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Lk. 12:15)
  20. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Lk. 12:34)
  21. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Lk.14:11)
  22. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. (Lk. 14:27)
  23. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. (Lk.14:33)
  24. ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. (Lk.19:26)
  25. …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Phil. 4:6)
  26. Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” (Gn.2:18)
  27. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. (Ps. 19:13)
  28. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. (Ps. 27:3)
  29. I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, (Ps. 31:7)
  30. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! (Ps.31:24)
  31. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! (Ps.37:7)
  32. But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy! (Ps.68.3)
  33. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. (Ps.73:28)
  34. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Ps. 118:24)
  35. but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” (Prov. 1:33)
  36. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. (Prov. 3:7)
  37. Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, (Prov. 4:1)
  38. Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. (Prov. 6:6)
  39. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. (Prov. 8:33)
  40. The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways. (Prov. 14:14)
  41. Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. (Prov. 23:4)
  42. And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun. (Eccles. 8:15)
  43. May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. (Jude 1:2)
  44. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. (3 John 1:8)
  45. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. (2 Pet.1:10)
  46. since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” … as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ( 1 Pet. 1:16)
  47. Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, (1 Pet. 2:13)
  48. Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. (1 Pet. 2:18)
  49. Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, (1 Pet. 3:1)
  50. but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. (1 Pet. 3:4)
  51. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. (1 Pet. 4:7)
  52. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Pet. 5:8)
  53. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:4)
  54. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. (James 1:16)
  55. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22)
  56. Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. (James 5:7)
  57. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16)
  58. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (Heb. 3:13)
  59. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, (Heb. 12:28)
  60. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5)
  61. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. (Heb. 13:9)
  62. Grace be with all of you. (Heb. 13:25)
  63. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, (Titus 1:7)
  64. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. (Titus 2:2)
  65. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, (Titus 2:3)
  66. to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. (Titus 2:5)
  67. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. (Titus 2:6)
  68. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, (Titus 2:7)
  69. Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, (Titus 3:1)
  70. to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. (Titus 3:2)
  71. You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, (2 Tim. 2:1)
  72. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, (2 Tim. 2:24)
  73. that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:17)
  74. preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (2 Tim. 4:2)
  75. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim. 4:5)
  76. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, (1 Tim. 4:4)
  77. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. (1 Thess. 5:14)
  78. And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, (Col. 1:9)
  79. that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, (Col. 2:2)
  80. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (Col. 3:15)
  81. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Col. 4:6)
  82. as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. (Phil. 1:20)
  83. That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, (Phil. 2:15)
  84. do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Phil. 4:6)
  85. even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. (Eph. 1:4)
  86. that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, (Eph. 3:16)
  87. so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, (Eph. 3:17)
  88. and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Eph. 3:19)
  89. and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, (Eph. 4:23)
  90. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (Eph. 4:31)
  91. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Eph. 4:32)
  92. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. (Eph. 5:4)
  93. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Eph. 5:17)
  94. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, (Eph. 5:18)
  95. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (Eph. 6:10)
  96. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Eph. 6:11)
  97. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Eph. 6:13)
  98. yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ…in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. (Gal. 2:16)
  99. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? (Gal. 4:9)
  100. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. (Gal. 6:7)
  101. so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.(2 Cor. 2:11)
  102. Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Cor. 6:14)
  103. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. (1 Cor. 4:2)
  104. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. (1 Cor. 6:12)
  105. I want you to be free from anxieties. (1 Cor. 7:32)
  106. Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. (1 Cor. 14:20)
  107. What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. (1 Cor. 14:26)
  108. But all things should be done decently and in order. (1 Cor. 14:40)
  109. Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” (1 Cor. 15:33)
  110. Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. (1 Cor. 16:13)
  111. Let all that you do be done in love. (1 Cor. 16:14)
  112. that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. (Rom. 1:12)
  113. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom. 8:31)
  114. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Rom. 10:13)
  115. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Rom. 12:2)
  116. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. (Rom. 12:9)
  117. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. (Rom. 12:11)
  118. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Rom. 12:12)
  119. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. (Rom. 12:16)
  120. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:21)
  121. Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.(Rom. 13:1)
  122. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. (Rom. 14:5)
  123. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)
  124. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
  125. “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. (Mark 13:9)
  126. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. (Mark 13:33)
  127. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16)
  128. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21)
  129. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. (John 17:11)
  130. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. (John 17:19)
  131. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:26)
  132. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (Acts 2:21)
  133. So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:17)

Again, if one of these jumped out at you, you may want to meditate on the attribute. Then ask and continue to ask God to create within you a true reflection of Himself. In fact, the more you worship the Triune God, the more you will find HIS character beginning to reflect from you. HE lives in you. HE longs to express HIMSELF through you. Why not accept HIS offer?

I did. It has been and is the most adventurous and romantic journey of a lifetime.

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:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!


Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved