"Living Out Grace"

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:10) This is really what we must do! But what does it mean to have opportunity? A season, as in a time at which foreordained events take place. Really, it means that? I will tell you something right here and now: you are called to be someone who lives out the grace that you have been given! It seems that we have no problem living out mercy; that we can do by just putting up with people; but living out grace requires us to express our love for one another. To literally reach out and lift a brother or sister up in a time of need; especially in the times that they need it most. This is something that must be part of our inheritance, wherein we live it because we are living in it. If we truly are loving our brothers and sisters in Christ, then grace is part of the equation. Grace is a favor done without expectation of return; the absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the Giver; unearned and unmerited favor. This brings joy; it causes joy to be manifested with our hearts, because we have been given something which we did not deserve; something that we were unworthy of receiving, we have been given; therefore, we are living out that joy which we received when we show grace unto others. Going back to verse 6:2, Paul said something which really caught my heart: "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ". So, what is the law of Christ? Love; yes that is part of what we are about; but how can love be expressed without grace being put forth. It's not hard to love someone who is loving you; but can you love someone who is not loving you; or better yet, can you love anyone that you have a dispute or disagreement with; and if you do, what does that love look like?