Grace In Action: How To Extend God’s Love To Everyone
Is your church welcoming of people who appear rough around the edges? How well do the members extend God’s love to everyone?
I’ve visited churches where individuals won’t make eye contact, and I’m generally clean and put together for Sunday services.
One of the things I love about my current faith family is that so many people have introduced themselves and welcomed me. So many, in fact, I have trouble remembering all of their names.
They didn’t ask me to get my act together. They haven’t judged the things I’ve shared about the hard parts of my story. They just express the love of Jesus through their words and actions.
And I’ve seen them do that with everyone.
Finding a church family that will extend God’s love generously is a blessing.
Paul wrote…
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.
But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Romans 5:6, 8
The Life Application Bible Notes add…
“While we were still sinners—these are amazing words. God sent Jesus Christ to die for us, not because we were good enough, but because He loved us. Whenever you feel uncertain about God’s love for you, remember that He loved you even before you turned to Him.”
Praise God! He didn’t wait for us to clean up our lives before He came to save us. He didn’t wait for us to change before sending Jesus.
Jesus came to us knowing we are sinners. He invited us to receive Him in faith and promised to change us when we do.
He told His followers…
The Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
Luke 19:10
Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.
Mark 2:17
And that’s the message you and I are called to share with everyone.
God’s love, demonstrated through Jesus, is extended to everyone. It is not based on our behavior or the church we attend. God’s love is so great that Jesus willingly suffered our punishment. He promised that if when love and trust Him, He will transform us through His grace.
We can’t and won’t change ourselves; we need the Lord to help us.
Paul wrote…
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (HCSB)
God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.
Philippians 2:13
Jesus is the power that changes lives. He came to extend God’s love to everyone. And by the power of His Spirit, He helps us join in generously extending God’s love.
We are called to love people and share the truth of God’s Word … prayerfully asking the Spirit to transform hearts, minds, and lives.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer to Live Grace and
Extend God’s Love to Everyone
Father, thank you for seeing us broken and needy and loving us too much to turn away. We failed to obey You, and You didn’t reject us. You gave Jesus,Your greatest gift, to save us and call us to Yourself. When we realize our need for You, You receive us as we are and welcome us with open arms.
Your love is hard for us to comprehend. Jesus said that He did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:32) He came to suffer sinners’ punishment. He came to suffer my punishment.
Thank you! You are the perfect parent, loving Your disobedient children, patiently disciplining and guiding them toward a better way. Please forgive me for being that disobedient child who enjoys pointing out the failures of my siblings while excusing my own.
Please help me love as You desire. Through Jesus, You created a family … brothers and sisters under Your guidance and care. Help me readily invite and welcome everyone into the family. Help me follow Jesus’ example by speaking Your truth in love.
Yours is the power to transform lives. May I take everyone I meet by the hand, inviting them to walk with me along the narrow path that leads to life with You forever. I pray this in the precious name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus. Amen.
Another thing that blesses me about my church family is that they love well by speaking the truth about God’s will. The pastors don’t sugarcoat God’s commands or affirm behaviors that His Word calls sin.
We are faithfully challenged to live in humble obedience and reminded that when we do, God willingly gives us what we need to live and love as He desires.
That’s grace in action. It’s the way we extend God’s love to everyone.
It’s the love that says, “Come as you are. We want you to join us as we get to KNOW the One who gave His life for sinners. We want you to experience the blessing of LOVING, TRUSTing, and OBEYing Him, too.
May you have everything you need to extend God’s love to everyone you meet.
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A welcoming church family is a true blessing. I miss my former church. I was a member there for 45 years. I was very active and enjoyed every minute of my service. I loved and still do love the Sunday school class I attended and served. The time came when I could no longer drive myself that far; and I wanted to sit in church with my sweet spouse. He preferred to go to the church he grew up in and it is closer. This church welcomed me, and I even knew some of the people there. I grew up with some of them. It is a welcoming church, no matter how you are dressed or what your ethnic background. And, yes, you can come as you are.
I still miss my former church. Being in a group of folks who know and love you for who you are is a priceless gift. I pray that I can spread that love to others.
Prayers for a good and safe weekend for you.
Blessings and hugs.
I’m sure your husband is blessed that you are attending church with him. I understand how hard it is to leave all those friends though. As Rev served in ministry we had to make several moves over the years. It’s hard to leave old friends, and yet, the Lord always provided wonderful new friends everywhere we went. I’m sure you are doing a great job of spreading God’s love wherever you are. God bless you, dear friend!
Where would we be without God’s grace in our lives? I’m so glad you’ve found a welcoming, loving church family where you can experience the love and grace that God freely offers. I feel the same about our church family, too. Blessings, Deb!
Amen, Martha! I’m so glad that you have the blessing of a warm and loving faith family. It is one of the Lord’s great blessings!