Deputized for Grace (part 4)
I will make your overseers peace and your taskmasters righteousness. (Isa 60:17)
As we conclude our brief reflection on this thought-provoking description of life under Christ’s Kingdom, let’s consider more than our own experience.
So far we discussed what it means for us to live under The Peace of Christ as our new boss.
It means that the Big Questions of our life, at least from Him, have to do with whether or to what extent we’re enjoying what He has done for us.
Jesus isn’t most interested in what we’re doing for Him, but in what we think about what He’s done for us. Are we celebrating His victory, enjoying “perfect peace” because we’re soaking deeply in His salvation?
And then we discussed what it means for us to live with Righteousness, or, “Go Do the Righteous and Loving Thing Christ has Put on Your Heart” as our new direction.
It means that the Real Question for us, at least from Him, has to do with trying to do the right things, with Christ, which Christ has laid upon our hearts.
The direction to which Jesus points us is certainly biblical righteousness and the expansion of His Kingdom. But He points with one hand, and places the other on our shoulder and says, “What’s the right thing that you see to do today? Let’s do that together.”
So far, this is all about our experience of life with Christ. But what about the experience of others in our lives? Those who are under us, influenced by us, who live with us and are affected by us—How do they experience us?
Do they experience us as people who, like Jesus, are mostly concerned with whether or to what extent they are resting by faith in Jesus? Or do they experience us as just another boss, judging them by our own standards and by their usefulness to us?
Do they experience us as friends who, like Jesus, want mostly to see them healthy and flourishing, “loving the LORD God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and their neighbor as themselves”? Or do they experience us as directors who are always a bit disappointed, frustrated by their inability to do it just the way we like it?
Because, in Christ, what we care about most is their sense of the sweetness of life with Jesus. And what we care about next-most is their experience of growing by faith with Jesus. And what we care about next-most is… Nope, I guess those two things are pretty much it.
Think about this for a moment. What effect do we have on each other? Do the important people in your life know that this is your heart for them? Can they tell that these things are what matters most to us, for them?
Or do they feel like, when we’re around, they’re never quite measuring up and always a little off the mark?
Here are four practices to help us salt our lives with the same grace we’ve received from Jesus: (Col 4:6)
First, Angst-less interactions.
The first rule of medicine is “Do No Harm.” The first rule of loving each other is “Try to do at least a little less harm than normal.” A big part of passing grace on to each other is keeping our mouth shut when it comes to harmful things, and making sure we say the good and clarifying things we need to say so that the other person isn’t left confused, having to fill in the blanks.
Second, Acknowledge. Everyone wants to know they are seen. “I see that you really care about this…”
Third, Affirm. Everyone wants to know that the value of what they’re doing is seen. “…and I just want you to know that you’re doing good.”
Fourth, Appreciate. Everyone wants to be thanked. “Thank you for doing this. I really appreciate you.”
Fifth, Ask. Everyone wants to be included, brought in to the adventure. “How do you feel you’re doing? What’s God been up to in your life? Where do you think Jesus is leading you?”
The main point is that we want Christ to spread His Peace through us (Col 3:15), and we want Christ to direct all His people toward flourishing and love. So, in as much as depends on us, let’s put our thumb on the scale for grace and for encouragement.
Let’s bring good news to overburdened, hard-pressed, hearts. I mean, isn’t that what we all want to be like for our friends and others? And let’s bring hope and help to those who are frustrated, confused, and feel like giving up. I mean, isn’t that the kind of friend we want to be?
For, indeed, “what is true in Him is true in you—the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.” And “as He is, so also are we in this world.” (1John 2:8, 4:17)
Christ is over us, Christ is in us, Christ is before us, Christ is through us.
Christ is for us.
And for them.
PRAYER
Lord God, we live under the peace of Christ. We live with the heart of Christ. We live by the life of Christ. We live for the glory of Christ. Thanks be to God!
So may we be today the sweet aroma of the peace and encouragement of Christ to the people whom You have given us. May they know Your love in our love. May they know Your peace in our comfort and encouragement. May they know Your joy and strength in our graciousness and wise affirmation. May they know You, in us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Photo by Artem Balashevsky on Unsplash