What is it about grace that ticks some people off?  Take a look at John 9 for a great example of the devastating effects of grace on a variety of people.  Here’s the situation:

There’s a blind guy that Jesus’ disciples ask about.  They want to know why he’s blind; was it because of his own sin or the sin of his parents? Fair question I guess.  Or not.  Whatever.  Either way, Jesus answers them: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned…” (v. 3)

From the disciples point of view, the blindness was a result of sin.  From a broader perspective though, they were looking through the lens of justice (he’s getting what he deserves), but Jesus was–and is–looking through the lens of grace (people getting what they don’t deserve).  And that’s shown in what Jesus says next: “…but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (v. 3)

There’s a bunch more to say (note the “Part 1” in the title), so come back for the continuation.

For today, chat with God about which set of lenses you’re looking through as you interact with people today.  Are your responses and interactions based on grace or on justice?  Do you treat people based on how they treat you, or are you willing to go beyond the boundaries of someone else’s limits and live a grace that blesses others so that the works of God might be displayed?