The NIV 365 Day Devotional

Extending Grace to Others

When the church in Rome was debating whether to eat meat offered to idols, did Paul tell them to start two churches? One for the meat eaters and one for the non-meat eaters? No, on the contrary, he urged, “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God” (Ro 15:7).

Is God asking us to do anything more than what he has already done? Hasn’t he gone a long way in accepting us? If God can tolerate my mistakes, can’t I tolerate the mistakes of others? If God allows me, with my foibles and failures, to call him Father, shouldn’t I extend the same grace to others? In fact, who can offer grace except those secure in the grip of grace? If God doesn’t demand perfection, should I?

God’s ship is a grand vessel. Just as a ship has many rooms, so God’s kingdom has room for many opinions. But just as a ship has one deck, God’s kingdom has a common ground: the all- sufficient sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Will you pray with me for the day when Jesus’ prayer is answered?

Will you pray with me for the day when the world is won because the church is one?

Will you pray with me for the day when we come out of our rooms and stand together to salute our captain? When clusters cease and the chorus commences?

Jesus’ final prayer before the cross was for the unity of his followers. Would he offer a prayer that couldn’t be answered? I don’t think so either.

Question: Is there anyone in your church, family, or circle of friends to whom you need to show grace?

Taken from The NIV Lucado Encouraging Word Bible.