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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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: 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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