Those who most need grace from us are those who see us at our best—and at our worst; the people who share houses, schools and cubicles with us. They sleep on the other side of the bed, or in the bedroom down the hall. They are the parents who seemed never to believe in us, or relatives who expect us to give endlessly. They work in the corner office, behind the counter, or any of a hundred places where expectations sometimes clash. They differ on food choices, paint colors, politics and faith. In short, they’re near enough to know if grace has left its mark on us, if gospel values of forgiveness and reconciliation really fill the spaces of our lives. They see the choices that we make—to hold our tongues; to apologize when needed; to not hold grudges; to release our claims on vengeance. And they measure our religion, not by creeds or preached theologies, but by the cold cloth on a feverish night, and the love that has no need to shame. Grace can’t be sought from everyone, but can be shared with anyone. “Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another” (1 Jn 4:11). “Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Cor 13:11). This is the sum of practical religion—adding grace, subtracting faults. Live the gentleness of Jesus. And stay in grace. -Bill Knott
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Bill Knott's GraceNotes: RENEWAL IN THE RUINS (January 01, 2021)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Love Came Down (Dec 24, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Keep On Singing (December 18, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Saving Our Stories (December 11, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Grace On The Ground (December 4, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Full Of Grace And Truth (November 27, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: The Choice To Love (November 20, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: The Great Unlearning (November 13, 2020)
Journeys With Jesus: The Empty Vase
Searching The Obvious: Keep Walking
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Beyond The Galaxy (November 6, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: The Best Kind Of Graffiti (October 30, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: The Gift That Keeps On Giving (October 23, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Winning Together (October 16, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: When Gripped By Guilt (October 9, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Beyond Debate (October 2, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Best Selfie Of All (September 25, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: The Road Much Traveled (September 18, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Re-telling Grace (September 11, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Grace Kneels (September 4, 2020)
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