I wish you were angry

When I was working in full-time youth ministry, there were many times that students would make mistakes (to be honest I usually kept pace with them). While there were times I responded with anger, and later regretted it, I usually responded with a phrase that would drive many of them crazy: "I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed."

Some of them would beg me to be angry. They would want me to be mad at them. While this request seems strange, I understand why.

Law is easier to deal with than grace.  Law gives us something to change that we can control. It also allows us to point back at the other person and their faults.

But grace disarms us. It leaves us vulnerable to face our own shortcomings. It makes it much more difficult to deflect our guilt by focusing on someone else's failings.

Grace forces us to face the reality that we have missed the mark.

Law, on the other hand, allows us to ignore our faults while pointing out someone else's.

This principle is even more true with those who we consider enemies or adversaries or who mistreat us. As he examines the idea of love, Paul writes the following...

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-21 NIV)

We don't have the right to issue justice. This doesn't mean that communities can't enforce consequences. However, we are not in a position to exact justice or revenge. That responsibility lies with the only one who can stand completely faultless.

Our role is to receive and embrace the grace that God offers and then turn around and offer that same grace to those around us.

Grace brings life while law brings death.

Grace brings renewal while law brings decay.

Grace brings forgiveness while law brings judgmentalism.

Grace brings unity while law brings division.

If we want to build community, bring restoration, and begin transformation, we must extend grace.

Will some take advantage of it? Absolutely.

But I would rather love someone until their heart breaks than extend judgment until their heart hardens. I would rather love them into surrender than guilt them into submission.

If we're honest, the hardest part of extending grace to those around us isn't extending love, it's acknowledging that we are not God. Giving grace forces us to look into the mirror and admit that we are just as sinful as those around us. But maybe that kind of confessional, broken attitude is the soil that allows the Kingdom to flourish.

shine!

Jason