Written by Jim Kretzler
“There, but for the grace of God, go I.” John Bradford spoke these words as he watched two men being led away to their execution labeled as heretics. Bradford felt empathy for these men and found himself relating to their situation from his own experiences. He realized he could have been in their situation if God had not intervened.
When we observe the outlook of those around us, we ought to notice not just their position or predicaments in life, but their need to truly find God. It is not through our own power or will that our acquaintances can be free from sin; they can only be lead to Christ through our Godly life. This requires us to look past the apparent results of sin and see the need they have in their soul.
True Christians today must consider those around them with the same empathy and compassion that Christ showed to them when lost.
There are some souls lost in sin who are looking for a better way to live. They seek to fill the void in their lives. I remember the weight of my sin and the feeling of hopelessness and shame. I pretended life was good and everything in my life was great.
After God spoke to my soul I repented of my sins. Since that time I have often wondered, “Why me?” Why would the great God of heaven have such compassion and mercy on me? I submitted my soul and mind to the instruction found in I John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Perhaps someday when I stand before Christ I will ask why He ever loved me. Until then, I will use my life and what I’ve experienced serving God to lead others to Christ.
Consider John Bradford’s statements, and remember it is God’s grace that has made the difference in our lives. It has set us apart from the world, so we share it with others.
When I witness to someone, I put myself in their place. My life could be like theirs if I would have made the same decisions. Look back at some of the foolish decisions you made before you were saved and where they could have taken you in life. How different would your life look today? It is truly through God’s grace and mercy that we were spared from the consequences of our choices. Psalm 40:2 says, “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”
Psalm 119: 9-11 impressed me when I first got saved. “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way. By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
As a young husband and father who also was a sinner I would have never known these scriptures without someone telling me and showing me a better way. There remain others who need to be told the same, who need to be offered help, who need to find the grace of God.
Philippians 2:4 “Look not every man on his own things, but every man on the things of others.”
