There’s nothing quite as satisfying—or as dangerous—as the certainty that we are right and someone else is wrong. We relish those rare moments of rightness because they wrap us in an unaccustomed virtue, as though we suddenly were several inches taller. Should we be sharp in underlining their mistake, or should we play it cool—and let embarrassment be the bitter aftertaste for those who got it wrong? We toy with power as cats abuse their mice. But there’s another, better way to be both right and righteous. “Above all, love each other deeply,” the Bible says, “because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). The grace that blotted out our sins—that made us whole—is grace available to give when others fail. In fact, we show our gratitude for grace by offering it to those who have no place to hide, who wither in the judgment of their peers. Grace isn’t fully part of us until it is re-given. We learn much more of mercy when we’re merciful to those—like us—who don’t deserve forgiveness. “Freely you have received; freely give,” Jesus says (Matt 10:8). And in the giving, we discover our true size as sinners wrapped in grace. Regift the grace that’s given you. And stay in it. -Bill Knott
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Search The Obvious: The Book Mark (December 2019)
Daniel Bruneau: God Is A Creative (December 2019)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Fully Identified (November 29, 2019)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Grace At The Gates (November 22, 2019)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: The End of Magic (November 15, 2019)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Can You Handle The Truth? (November 8, 2019)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: More Day To Dawn (November 1, 2019)
Wilona Karimabadi: Beyond Thoughts and Prayers, November 2019
Cliff's Edge: So Thankful For Seventh-day Adventist, November 2019
Michael Yonker: From Disappointment to the Advent, November 2019
Search The Obvious: Reunions, November 2019
Lael Caesar: Prophecy Again?, November 2019
Gerald Klingbeil: Lip-syncing for God, November 2019
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Cross Purposes (October 25, 2019)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Staying In The Race (October 18, 2019)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: A Circle of Forgiveness (October 11, 2019)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Is It Too Good To Be True? (October 4, 2019)
Marvene Thorpe-Baptiste: Light A Candle (October 2019)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: When Everything Changes (September 27, 2019)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Sustainability (September 20,2019)
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