Creating An Atmosphere Of Grace - Part 2
"Salt makes people thirsty, and in the same way when you speak to others with gracious words, they will want to speak like you do. It will help people develop a thirst for Christ-like communication when they experience it for themselves."
As we continue to look at this subject of creating an atmosphere of grace, we'll be covering the last three points in this section.
Last week, we were reminded that in order to help cultivate this atmosphere, we need to...
Think the best rather than assume the worst
Let your love cover a multitude of sins
So coming to our third point now...
When you see someone make a mistake/fail/sin - pray for them
You might notice that while these first 3 points are pretty much unseen characteristics, they certainly help to promote grace, and the fruit of that will show in time.
It's so easy to point out someone else's fault, or bring a critique, and yet how hard it is to stop and pray for that person before making a judgement. Even if they have done wrong, do they not need prayer also?
In James 5:16, in the context of confessing sin, James says these words…
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Be gracious in your speech
Now this characteristic is more outward and visible, and it refers to speaking to our brothers and sisters in Christ, with grace. Colossians 4:6 talks about this...
...6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Salt makes people thirsty, and in the same way when you speak to others with gracious words, they will want to speak like you do. It will help people develop a thirst for Christ-like communication when they experience it for themselves.
Be patient, and quick to forgive, as you have been forgiven in Christ
Patience and forgiveness work really well together because it’s a demonstration of long-suffering and bearing with another, even though they may have sinned against you.
If there’s no repentance, you can still forgive from your side, but they can’t fully experience that forgiveness, as they don’t think they’ve sinned.
But when someone asks your forgiveness, and apologizes sincerely, genuinely wanting to put something right, remember to always be willing to forgive. We simply have no excuse not to forgive, because Christ forgave us.
In Colossians 3:12-13 we read…
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
So there you have it then - 5 characteristics that, by God’s grace, you can walk in, and by doing so, you will be creating more of an atmosphere of grace in your local church, which is a benefit to everyone.
I'll just recap the 5 points again...
When you see someone make a mistake/fail/sin - pray for them
Be gracious in your speech
Be patient, and quick to forgive, as you have been forgiven in Christ
Let me just leave you with these relevant words, from 2 Peter 3:18…
18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
[Return to The Church Piano Player Website]
This blog post was written by pastor and pianist Kris Baines, from The Church Piano Player. Kris lives in the UK with his family, having recently moved back from New Zealand where he worked as a pastor for the past 26 years (also leading worship/worship teams). Kris has also spent over 35 years writing, recording, and performing music and is now bringing all that combined experience together to help equip church piano/keyboard players.
Check out the church piano player website for more information on online courses by Kris Baines.
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