A Church of Grace

"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." — Romans 15:7
 
Have you ever felt like you couldn't measure up?
 
Early on when I became pastor of this church, my wife started taking a turn physically. I remember going to a deacons meeting because I had a presupposition that every time the doors opened on Sunday morning, the pastor's wife needed to be seen seated next to the pastor.
 
I said, "Guys, I've gotta tell you—my wife is struggling physically. We're praying God will heal her, but if He chooses to withhold that healing, we're going to walk with Him regardless. But if your mentality is that you need a pastor and his wife visible all the time, then maybe I'm not your guy. I am committed to her before I'm committed to you."
 
It was quiet.
 
Then one of the men spoke up and said, "Pastor, we didn't call your wife to be the pastor. We called you to be the pastor. We're glad that you're the pastor."
 
That took weight off my shoulders, and I began to realize I was pastoring a church of grace.
 
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12).
 
The church isn't supposed to be a place of impossible expectations. It's supposed to be a community of grace—people who understand that life is messy, circumstances are complicated, and none of us have it all together.
 
Are you extending that grace to others? Are you receiving it for yourself?
 
Find a church of grace. Be a church of grace.