Sharing the Popsicles
What happened to Grace?
We happened to Grace.
Throughout history there have been those that assume they are the chosen, select, most-favored. Right now I’m pretty sure we think that. Along with that thinking comes the temptation and tendency to hoard the blessings that so obviously ours.
Let’s not get confused though – I’m not talking about tithing or even money at all. I’m talking about the base concepts that define the characteristics of a Christian: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience,….you know the rest.
We receive those from God (especially the patience part) and in turn do not shed those blessings onto others. There is a hint of nationalism here – THEY don’t believe like I do. There is a hint of doctrinal exclusivity here too – THEY don’t believe like I do. There is a dash of prejudice – THEY don’t believe like I do. All of those create a recipe for selfishness, hoarding, and exclusivity.
That includes Grace.
We receive it and want the measures of Grace to expand greater and greater in our lives. We want the blessings of this earth to be a measure of God’s Grace in our lives. We want to be able to weigh the standards of Grace and Mercy and Love.
Therein lies our small thinking about Grace. What happened to it? We started treating Grace like a popsicle. “You can have one if you finish your supper.”
The problem is, none of us has eaten enough to deserve dessert. We’ve barely scratched the surface of earning a lick of blessing.
But we’ve gotten a whole box of popsicles. Because God loves us THAT much. He even bought the good box with more purple and red flavored ones.
Church, it is time to share the popsicles. (boy, this blog really dove into the shallow analogy). We cannot consider ourselves high enough to decide who does and who does not receive a blessing. Because of the work of the Spirit in our lives, the Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, and Self Control, we extend any and all blessings from God outward.
That is the role of the Church in this messy world – Time to share the popsicles.
Matthew 5: 43 – 48 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies![r] Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.