Day 5 - Foolish, Justified - You are Loved

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"3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."

Titus 3:3-7 (NIV)

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Two things; Foolish, Justified. Two words that usually don't go together. Yet there they are side-by-side (pretty much) in the Bible.

When I was a child, I was still learning basic rules, what was right and wrong. My Mum and Dad did a good job at being clear with me what the rules were. When I went outside to play in the cul-de-sac I had one rule - "Do not go past the corner of the road". For most of the time, I behaved and obeyed that rule however, one particular afternoon I was out playing with the girls next door and they went round the corner of the road past the hedge...so what did I do? I followed the gang.

It's safe to say that I learned two big lessons that afternoon. Firstly, Mum and Dad make rules to protect you - obey them. Secondly, never follow girls round a corner! A lesson that I still remember to this day. This is where it links to the bible verse above, I had been foolish yet that didn't stop my Mum and Dad from loving me. Two things side-by-side; foolish, justified. My actions hadn't disqualified me from the love of my parents. The same is of God and the love He shows through the birth of Christ and the life that followed.

At Christmas, we seem to go above and beyond what we normally do, see things we don't normally see, do things we don't normally do, and say things we don't normally say. Maybe the expectations of 'Christmas' gives us extra courage to do things we don't do 365 days a year. I wonder if this Christmas, you can replace the courage that 'Christmas' gives with the grace God shows. Maybe this advent season and beyond, increase your capacity for grace, after all, that's what God has done for you.

Reflect today: How can I use the grace shown to me by God, to show grace to others?

What can I do today to let someone know that they are loved and are worthy of love?

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the opportunities that Christmas gives to do more for you. Please help me to realise that I am worthy of your love, no matter what I have done in the past because you sent your Son to earth that I may be justified. Not by my actions but by your grace. Help me today to be more like you and love those around me.

Amen