Grace is Freely Available to All of us!
Consequences are Real!
Grace indeed is free, unmerited and requires only acceptance. Grace is the beginning of restoration. Grace is critical for our mental and spiritual health.
However our sins and foolishness have often hurt those we love most. The consequences often cause deep scars for those we sin against. Those whom we have harmed often have lost trust in us. Not only do many think ill of us but our behavior may influence how they view God as a result of our failures.
We "do" have a job to do to repair fences. Prayer is critical amd honesty and behavior from us are critical in mending fences. Honesty and unabashed acceptance of pain we may have caused others is critical.
Consequences don't go away quickly. Some never subside. However taking the right steps is essential to those we have offended as well as our personal growth as well.
Someone has said that where there is no grace there is little chance for restoration. Grace results in forgiveness by God and His desire for us to be set free. The first step in reconciliation is Grace. The second step is honesty with those we have hurt. Excuses for bad behavior just do not work. Acceptance of our sin is critical.
Consequences may require that God reclaims what the locusts have eaten.(Joel 3:25) We need to bathe our relationships in prayer. I glory in Grace but I have to deal wisely with those I have hurt deeply.
Grace deals with our relationship with God. Grace is essential to mending fences with others. Grace does not remove consequences. Prayer and Honesty are a beginning for us. Action is seen as more importance than words;
My advice is do rather than speak!
