John 6:38-40 (NKJV) “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
The mission entrusted to and expected of Jesus Christ by His Father. Obedience to the will of God, and grace to all of God’s children who faithfully believe and surrender to the Son. That’s it in a nutshell. It’s what Jesus was sent for and it’s what He lived out.
It’s also an expectation He has for each one of us. He expects us to be fully devoted to Him and obedient to His commands. He expects us to listen to Him in all matters, and respond appropriately. To know what His will is, requires knowing Him intimately, walking faithfully and devotedly with Him.
He expects us to extend grace, measured by His standard to our fellow man. When we get let down, disappointed and injured by others, He expects us to extend grace “7 times 70 times”. It’s hard, but it’s what He does daily for each and every one of us. Daily we disappoint, let down, and injure Him, yet grace is His response.
When we lose hope in others, they hurt or disappoint us, forgiveness is the order of the day. When someone doesn’t think about or feel about something in the same manner as we do, grace is the order of the day. We have no right to judge another for what they say or do. We have no right to withhold grace when Jesus never withholds it from us, despite our repeated offenses. We are expected to turn our focus first and always to the Son of the living God, pray for our “enemies” and forgive. We do not know the condition of another’s heart, only they and God have access to that knowledge. We have no right to presume, therefore we have no right to do anything other than pray, forgive and move on.
When we walk daily with the Lord, desire to devour the Word, to know Him, focus on Him, obedient gracious responses to all matters become natural, muscle memory. Have a blessed weekend.
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy,
Scott Pace
