When we think about grace we usually think about the grace God extended to us, the salvation that doesn’t cost us anything, getting the forgiveness that we do not deserve. But, we can easily forget that grace always has a cost. In the case of the grace extended to us by God the price was paid by Christ upon the cross.
When we are called upon to extend grace, especially to someone that has wronged us, broken a close relationship, and left behind deep spiritual and emotional scars we encounter the true cost of grace.
For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. Ephesians 2:14
There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. 9 But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Philemon 8-9
I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart. Philemon 10-12
It seems Onesimus ran away for a little while so that you could have him back forever. He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. Philemon 15-16
If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. Philemon 18
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