Act 10:34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism.

I was reading the Book of Proverbs this morning. As I was reading, the story made me think of someone that I know well. As I continued to read, I was able to associate someone else I also know with the story.  The second person was the person whom I felt very little grace for. I have been trying to pray for this person, but have come up short. It is funny how we, (I say we so I don’t feel so guilty) can take a sin that involves 2 people, and choose which one we feel is wrong, and which one we will pray for. Which one we show mercy, and which one we believe received their just due.
In my adult life, I have had 3 very similar situations with people that I know well. In each of these situations, I have dubbed one person the wrong one, and the other person the right one. And even if not so much the “right” one, than maybe just slightly justified in their wrongdoing, because of things I knew about the situation. Because we all know that, even if the one party is wronged, maybe it was karma biting them in the butt. That is how it works, isn’t it?  Some people just deserve it.

But lets look at that other person, the one that you love, that did the very same thing wrong, yet you extend great grace to them? I guess karma just likes them better? How does that work? I am not asking with the intention of giving you any platitudes (and I don’t really believe in karma), but I realized this morning how unfair I am. Of course on the surface, we all think we are fair, but if we’re really truthful, we know we really aren’t. This morning I got a revelation of how unfair I can be. And, it was a bit startling. But the revelation, helped me to realize that everyone in these situations need prayer….. and love…. and mercy.  No one deserves certain things to happen to them, but in truth, we all deserve way more than we receive.

I am so thankful for God’s grace and that I don’t get all that I deserve.  I am thankful that God is no respecter of persons. If He would look at them, and show grace, if Jesus stands before the throne, pleading their case…. than how much less does He expect of me than to also lift them up to the throne of grace? That is the only way I can truly be someone that looks like Christ.

Lord…. Help me to love. Fill me with grace and mercy for those that don’t deserve it. For it is only because you have done that for me, that I can even call out to You and know without any doubts that you hear me.  And for that I am humbled, and thankful!