Extending God’s Grace Through Our Words

Have you ever found yourself to be the outsider in a situation? I have. My family sometimes plays a pickup basketball game at the park. It doesn’t take long for someone to notice that I am the weak link. Even so, my family shows grace with their encouraging words and by going easy on me with their defense. You might say, “Of course they show you grace — you are their mom/wife!” Yes, that is true. Though I’m an outsider when it comes to my skill on the court, they love me because we are family. It is easy to practice showing grace to someone that you know and love.

In contrast, Paul is calling us to step toward those outside the church. As we encounter people who do not know Jesus or are opposed to Jesus, we are called to do so with grace in our speech, along with knowledge and wisdom in our responses. Notice the strong words that call us to this high task — making the most of every opportunity, speech always be with and grace, know how you should respond. What clear instruction and high bar! This is not a casual suggestion but a calling to a way of life, a consistent conduct.

God does not call us to this conduct without giving us the means and providing an example. Wisdom and knowledge go hand-in-hand with gracious speech. This is how we are able to know how we should respond to each unique person that we encounter. We are equipped to show grace to outsiders by hiding God’s Word in our heart, listening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and loving the lost as Jesus did. Jesus is our perfect example. We see in the gospel stories that He expected the lost to sin, and He approached them with compassion rather than condemnation. Consider how Jesus approached the Samaritan woman at the well, Zacchaeus the tax collector, and the woman caught in adultery. Jesus had a heart sensitive to showing grace and speaking truth that gives hope and salvation.

Let’s practice this together. Let’s push past the laziness or fear or busyness and make the most of every opportunity. Let’s grow in our calling. Let’s allow outsiders to experience the same love and grace from us that we have received from Christ.