September 20, 2023
Happy Wednesday church,
Last Sunday we wrapped up our four-week worship series entitled “The Journey Begins.” We’ve been reflecting on key questions about our discipleship. Last week’s question centered on “How many times should I forgive?” Matthew was acting like a know-it-all with Jesus, but Jesus challenged Peter’s expectation by inviting his disciples to live a different way – to not count our apologies but instead lead and live with grace for our neighbors.
Discipleship is about accepting our salvation and living a new way, a counter-cultural way, a grace-filled way, the way of Jesus. When we receive the forgiveness of God, but fail to pass on that forgiveness to one another, we’re like the first slave in the parable of Jesus who withheld mercy to his peer. Salvation means being set free to live as though we were already a part of the kingdom of God. We can lead with grace because grace has been shown to us by God.
Is there someone this week to whom you need to show some grace? Or someone you should connect with about forgiveness? Jesus invites us to live a different way, a way of reconciliation and grace. May God bless us all on the journey of discipleship.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Jared