Work of Grace

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, preserving in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil For evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
Roman: 12:9-17

Located in one of the great doctrinal books of the Bible is a series of command that, if obeyed, would turn us into some of the most affirming people imaginable. In a nutshell, these words represent the essence of authentic Christianity. But why don't we live authentic lives? Why do we love with such hypocrisy? What keeps us from being devoted to one another, from honoring one another from contributing to each other's need?
    The inescapable fact is that, more often than not, we nullify grace rather than magnify it. We resist it more often than we release it. What is it within us that hindering an attitude of free-flowing grace? Most of us fall short if letting others be themselves because of two Strong and very human tendencies: We compare ourselves with others, which lead us to criticize or compete with them, and we attempt to control others, which results in our manipulating and intimidating them. Let's dissect and examine both if these tendencies that keep grace from awakening in our lives.
    Most people tend to prefer sameness, predictability, and common interests. As a result, if someone thinks differently, prefers differently entertainment, wears different clothes, or enjoys a different lifestyles, we get a little nervous.
     Our problem is one of eyesight. We tend to see things only on the surface, and therefore, we put too much weight on externals. We judge by appearance rather than actualities.
     But the problem is deeper than that. If goes beyond the need for an eye exam. We need an attitude adjustment because comparison knocks our attitude out of alignment. It makes us prejudiced people. And it counteracts and opposes the work of grace8
    God never meant for the church to be a religious industry designed to chum out cookie-cutter Christian and paper-doll saints. On the contrary, His church is supposed to be celebration of diversity (see 1 Cor.12).
    Unsure of this? Look at the in the Bible. They are as different as Rahab and Esther, the one an ex-prostitute and the other an exquisite queen.
    Variety honors God Uniformity bores Him. Consider how variegated are the threads woven through the genealogy of God's Son in Matthew. Cup your ears in the marble hallway of faith in Hebrews11 and hear the echoes of diversity. Page through church history and read about the great differences in the men and women who shaped the world.
    Legalism requires that we all be alike, unified in convictions and uniform in appearance. Grace finds pleasure in our diversity, encourages individuality, and leaves for differences of opinion. But before we will be able to demonstrate sufficient grace to let other be who they are, we'll have to get rid of this legalistic tendency to compare.