One of my favorite word pictures my boss uses surrounds the word "Lavish." He explains the word through using the example of his love for ice cream. He loves ice cream, and since his wife loves him, the way she shows this love is through the amount of ice cream she gives him. Basically, the word picture ends with his wife giving him more and more ice cream. More than he can handle in fact. This ice cream is delivered by trails, plains, semi trucks, air craft carriers, and oil tankers. All because she loves him so much. This picture stood out to me today.
What verse stood out to me: Verses 7-8 says, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us."
Why does this stand out to me: These verses stood out to me primarily because of the word "lavish." I do not fully understand what that word means, except through the word picture my boss uses. In this context, Paul is referring to the amount of grace God gives us. When I think of grace, I cannot help but think about how much grace Becca offers me! I blunder a lot, and Becca has consistently offered me grace after grace after grace. She is a huge blessing to me!
How this applies in my life: When someone wrongs me, or I feel attacked, my first response is usually to give a good hard dose of truth and not offer grace. I like to make people feel they are unworthy or give them a heavy guilt trip. This is not the way to treat others though. If I was punished for all of my wrongs, I would quite literally not be in the position I am in. God has shown me incredible amounts of grace, and I cannot live my life without showing that same amount. My application for today is to offer grace first before I offer truth.
Sorry for the few days of silence! This past weekend was a really busy weekend. But I am back! And I will write tomorrow! I will be reading Ephesians 1:15-23.
In His service, CrazyPete
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