BY She Reads Truth
Use today to pray, rest, and reflect on this week’s reading, giving thanks for the grace that is ours in Christ.
“Now this is his command: that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another as he commanded us.”
—1 John 3:23
28 thoughts on "Grace Day"
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Rebekah C., thank you for your insight. I have had several Judases in my life, and their betrayal has hurt me deeply. They have done me some good before stabbing me in the back, but your post has reminded me that they have also helped me to share in the sufferings of my savior. ❤️
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To love is a command-not optional. Which also means that it will not be easy or even ‘natural’.
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Wow this is an incredible take. Thank you for providing these thought provoking questions for me this Sunday x
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What does it mean to love one another?
Every time I read this epistle, I am reminded that if I believe Christ is real, and I believe my fellow Christians believe He is real, then I need to include them. My family has all of a sudden been expanded beyond my immediate blood relatives, and that there are many more who need to be adopted into the family.
What does that look like?
Does that mean I only spend time with the people who think and act like me? Or those I prefer?
If I’m to follow the world’s example, of those unsaved, then I need to not go any further than my tribe. The people who think, look and act like me. If they act in a manner that I think is wrong, then they are not a part of my tribe and I need to spend less time with them.
But let’s look at Christ.
He had several disciples, and they were not all the same. There were some fishermen, tax collectors, a bunch of ex prostitutes, rich guys, poor people, band wagoners, so many others and a thief who looked pious but betrayed Him.
Does your friend group look the same? Outwardly? Are they all the same inwardly?
Do you know what’s going on below the surface of the ones that have their stuff together?
I have been friends to the people at church that no one wants to hang out with when it’s not a Sunday.
I have been the person no one wants to hang around when it’s not a Sunday.
You know them.
They’re socially awkward.
They say the wrong thing at the wrong time, or the right thing at the wrong time.
They smell funny
They watch the wrong kind of entertainment
They’re a little too into Jesus.
They’re not into Jesus enough
They’re desperate.
They might stab you in the backIt’s that last one isn’t it?
If we are to truly be a follower of Jesus and act like Him, we have to let the Judas’ into our lives.
If we trust God and God’s provision for us, then Judas won’t hurt us in the long run. If we follow the story, there is death and resurrection and forgiveness offered.
I can’t help but think how powerful a ministry Judas would have had if he chose to believe in the forgiveness offered to him from Christ. If he believed God, we might be reading Judas’ letters alongside Paul’s. But Judas made the choice and believed there was no forgiveness for what he had done to Jesus and hung himself.
We don’t have the cross without Judas. He is an integral part of the story.
Why do we think that we are above Christ to not suffer as He did? Are we above letting a Judas into our lives? Do we not believe that God can show redemption through us? Are we not called to represent Christ in our lives? Are we willing to go to the cross in our lives? Do we believe that God can resurrect our own lives if necessary?
Are you willing to allow someone who might be a Judas into your life?
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