Romans 5:8 (NKJV) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
These scriptures revealed to us the unmerited favour of God that was extended to us, when we were still sinners and destined for judgement in hell for the sins in our lives. We are the shameful and rebellious ones, but God, just like the father in the story of the prodigal son, came forward by sending His Son to take the shame of sin upon Himself, to be hung on the cross in full view of the public and the demonic dominion to declare His love for us, choosing to forgive us by bearing the shame of sin on behalf of us. His intent was that shame would be upon Jesus so that righteousness can be upon us.
We are given the robe of Christ’s righteousness just like the prodigal son was given a new robe, and the right to become the children of God (John 1:12) just like the prodigal son had his rights restored to him to show everyone his sonship in the family. The restoration is all unmerited favour—the abundance of grace extended towards us. We are to repent of our sins just like the prodigal son repented of his wrongdoing. The father called for a celebration for the return of the son and killed the fatted calf. Likewise, the whole of heaven rejoices over the salvation of one soul who turned to Jesus.
1 John 3:16 (NKJV) By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
The Bible teaches us not to love in word but in action and in truth. Laying down our lives for the brethren is extending grace to them. We can also be kind, gracious and merciful towards those who have wronged or offended us, just like the father in choosing to extend grace to journey with the son, over the hard and authoritarian way of parenting. Obviously, the son was old enough so that nothing could change his mind, but being gracious, never ceasing to love him and choosing not to burn bridges kept the door open for the son to return to the father at the lowest point of his life.
Therefore, we should ask ourselves, “Are we extending grace to our children, our spouse, our colleagues, our neighbours, and those whom God has placed in our path?”
At times, it may seem like we may lose something by extending grace to others, but by doing it, we will experience peace, love and joy. Most people would want to know what is in it for them by doing good, but Christians are gracious and loving because we have experienced God extending grace to us.
Sermon Series: Extending Grace
报以恩慈
罗马书 5:8 惟有基督在我们还作罪人的时候为我们死，神的爱就在此向我们显明了。
哥林多后书5:21神使那无罪的，〔无罪原文作不知罪〕替我们成为罪，好叫我们在他里面成为神的义。
这些经文向我们启示，当我们还是罪人注定要为了我们生命中的罪在地狱中接受审判之时，上帝恩待了我们，赐我们所不配得的恩典。我们是可耻和悖逆的人，但上帝，就像浪子故事中的父亲一样，派祂的儿子来承担罪的耻辱，在众目睽睽和恶魔的统治之下，被钉死在十字架上，宣告了祂对我们的爱，藉着代替我们承受罪的耻辱，祂选择饶恕我们。祂的意图是让耶稣代替我们蒙羞受辱，好让我们得以称义。
我们得到了基督的义袍，就像浪子得到了一件新袍子一样，我们得到了成为上帝儿女的权利（约翰福音 1:12）就像浪子被恢复了他的权利，向众人展示他在家中儿子的身份一样。这样的恢复完全出于我们所不配得的恩待—恩典沛然降在我们身上。我们要为自己的罪悔改，就像浪子悔改自己的过错一样。父亲为儿子的归来举行了庆祝活动，并宰了一头肥牛犊。同样的，整个天庭都因一个转向耶稣的灵魂得救而欢欣鼓舞。
约翰一书 3:16 主为我们舍命，我们从此就知道何为爱，我们也当为弟兄舍命。
圣经教导我们不要只用言语和舌头相爱，而要用行实际动和诚实去爱。为弟兄们舍命就是向他们施恩。我们也可以对那些冤枉或冒犯我们的人报以友善和仁慈，就像父亲选择宽恕儿子并与他同行，而不是选择强硬而专制的养育方式。显然，儿大不由爹，但宽怀仁慈、不息的爱并且选择留条后路，这一切为儿子敞开了家门，让儿子在人生的最低谷有勇气回到了父亲的身边。
因此，我们应该问自己：“对于我们的孩子、配偶、同事、邻居，以及那些上帝让我们在人生旅途中遇见的人，我们是否正对他们施以恩慈？”
有时，因着向他人施恩我们貌似会失去一些东西，但通过这样做，我们会体验到平安、爱和喜乐。大多数人都想知道行善对他们有什么好处，但基督徒是有恩慈和爱心的，因为我们经历过上帝向我们所施的恩典。
讲章系列：延伸恩典