Benefit of the Doubt - A Form of Grace
Have you ever read something that someone sent you and wondered how to interpret it? We’ve probably all been guilty of jumping to conclusions. In this day and time where most communication is done through text or email, it’s hard to know someone’s true intentions when we read something. There’s no eye contact, tone of voice, or body movement to consider. This makes it difficult to know someone’s meaning behind their words, unless we know their heart.
Someone once read a text to me that upset them. They said, “Listen to this…” and proceeded to read the message in a harsh tone. I could fully understand how it upset them if it was sent in the manner that it was received. I then asked if I could read the text back to them. I read the same words, but intentionally read it with a gentle tone. This small adjustment changed the way the message was received. Neither of us knew exactly how the sender meant it. Only that person and God knew what they were feeling when they wrote it and what their true intentions were. When faced with such a situation, we’re presented with the opportunity to extend the benefit of the doubt, which is more than just trying to keep peace or letting things slide, it’s a way of extending grace.
The dictionary defines biblical grace as unmerited or undeserved favor. Paul speaks of this in Romans 5 when he refers to the free gift of Jesus Christ dying in our place. Showing some grace and giving someone the benefit of the doubt pales in comparison to the gift that was given for us.
Have you ever been misunderstood? Maybe something you said was taken out of context. If so, wouldn’t some grace be welcomed? This doesn’t give us permission to say or do what we want, when we want. We’re always responsible for our own words and actions even if grace is extended to us, but it should make us think of how appreciative we would be if it was given to us at any time.
Ephesians 4 speaks about unity within the church and addresses how Christians should treat each other with love and gentleness. If we take that principle and extend it to everyone, maybe those that haven’t yet given their lives to Christ would be more receptive to those of us that have when we’re trying to witness to them.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of Spirit with the bond of peace. - Ephesians 4:2-3
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. -Ephesians 4:7
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