Romans 12:1-4
The New Life in Christ
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.For as in one body we have many members and not all the members have the same function, Romans 12:1-4 (NRSVUE)
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what grace really means, not just receiving it, but extending it to others. I know that I am imperfect, and that truth has shaped the kind of leader I want to become. Do I want to lead by assuming I’m always right, or do I want to be someone who listens and makes space for other perspectives? I want to be the latter.
Jesus didn’t surround himself only with people who agreed with him. He sought out those who were pushed to the margins of his culture, and he engaged openly with those he disagreed with. Even in disagreement, he showed love and grace. That example challenges me.
We each have different roles and callings in how we live, and even when we don’t see eye to eye, we are still deeply connected. If we believe we are all created and loved by God, then that should shape how we treat one another. It means choosing humility over pride, and connection over isolation.
I think real connection is in lifting each other up, supporting one another, and learning from our differences, which is a glimpse of what heaven can look like here on earth. When we separate ourselves from others, we risk losing sight of that. But when we embrace our differences, we grow. Those differences don’t divide us; they refine us.
Grace, then, isn’t just something we receive. It’s something we practice in how we lead, how we listen, and how we love.
Questions for Reflection:
- How do you show grace to others?
- What does showing grace mean to you?
- How can you work with others with whom you might not agree?
Prayer:
Dear God,
Let us not be defined by our disagreements,
But in how we love each other and you.
Show us how to lift each other up towards You.
Encourage us in showing love and faith,
Rather by fear and hate.
Let us grow and learn together.
Amen
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