The Grace I Need (to Give...)

I just realized how much like the OT people of Israel I am. I cry out to God, grace pours down. I take it and hold on to it. Then a prophet has to be raised up to smack me upside the head to remind me that I'm never blessed just to be blessed. Blessed to be a blessing.

Grace is not to be held, but to be passed on. If I am forgiven, I need to offer forgiveness. (heh, does that mean that if I'm condemned, I offer condemnation? Um...actually, it kind of does mean that:

For if you forgive others their tresasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15 NRSV)

Sigh... I know that God's forgivness isn't dependent on my being forgiving. But I'm not really repentant if I'm not offering forgiveness, am I? I mean, bitterness and hatred are every bit as big sins as murder and stealing...