Give Someone Grace: Following Jesus’ Example of Mercy and Forgiveness
- Ashland Watson
- Jun 23
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 24
We sadly live in a world where hurt, misunderstandings, and betrayal are all too common... and giving patience, love, kindness and grace to somone can be considered a "radical" act. To give someone grace is to extend unmerited kindness, just as God’s grace has been freely given to us. It’s not always easy, but it is always powerful.
Grace is more than a passive act of overlooking faults. It’s an intentional choice to follow Jesus’ example of mercy, grace, and forgiveness in our relationships, communities, and even in moments of personal offense. When we choose to give someone grace, we reflect the heart of Christ, who not only forgives but restores.
What It Means to Give Someone Grace
To give someone grace is to release our right to retaliate or hold a grudge. It’s choosing compassion over condemnation, and empathy over pride. In the New Testament, we see Jesus continually extend grace to the undeserving, from forgiving Peter’s denial to offering mercy to the thief on the cross.
Why It’s So Hard... and So Important
Let’s be honest... giving grace can be incredibly difficult, especially when we feel wronged or misunderstood. But grace is not about denying the pain; it’s about choosing to rise above it. When we withhold grace, bitterness and division take root. But when we extend grace, we open the door for healing, not only in others but within ourselves.
Scripture reminds us: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32). We are called to be conduits of the same grace and forgiveness God has lavished on us.
Why It Matters in a Missional Life
At Mosaic International, our mission is to equip, encourage, and mobilize churches around the world to be the hands and feet of Jesus. That means living out grace in tangible ways, not just in the pews, but in the marketplaces, schools, and homes of every community we serve.
In places like Rwanda, Tanzania, South Asia, and the Philippines, we see the power of grace at work through local churches. Leaders we partner with, like Francis in Tanzania or Bishop Pacifique in Rwanda, don’t just preach grace, they extend grace daily. Whether it’s through relief efforts, development initiatives, or discipleship programs, grace is what transforms hearts and heals wounds that years of injustice and poverty have inflicted.
Grace Isn’t Weak... It’s Revolutionary
Jesus didn’t model grace from a place of passivity. He confronted sin and called for change, but he did so from a posture of love. Think of the woman caught in adultery. The crowd demanded condemnation. Jesus responded with grace: "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her" (John 8:7).
He didn’t excuse her actions, but he extended grace. Then, he called her to a new life. This is the model we are called to follow. Grace transforms. It restores dignity. It opens the door to redemption.
Practical Ways to Extend Grace Today
Listen before you speak. Empathy builds bridges.
Forgive quickly. Don’t let bitterness fester.
Assume the best. Give people the benefit of the doubt.
Speak kindly. Words can either wound or heal.
Remember your own need for grace. We all fall short, daily.
Whether you're at home with your children, working alongside colleagues, or engaging in missions, the call to give someone grace remains the same. As you extend grace, you mirror Jesus' love in a world desperate for it.
Become a Messenger of Grace
Grace is not just something we receive; it is something we carry. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:20, "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us."
That is exactly what Mosaic Ambassadors do. These passionate advocates use their voices, networks, and platforms to share stories of transformation from the frontlines. They encourage others to pray, give, and go... spreading God’s grace and compassion across borders and barriers.
Becoming a Mosaic Ambassador is one way you can embody grace and inspire others to do the same. Whether you're a student, a business owner, or a stay-at-home parent, your willingness to extend grace could change lives... starting in your neighborhood and reaching across the globe.
Grace Begins with Us
In every country we serve, from the hills of Rwanda to the islands of the Philippines, we see the radical impact of grace. It breaks chains of generational poverty. It heals churches fractured by trauma. It restores hope in communities that the world has long forgotten.
So today, choose to give someone grace.
Let your life be a living testimony of the mercy and forgiveness that Jesus freely gives. Because when we extend grace, we not only reflect the heart of God, we participate in His mission to redeem the world.
Ready to make an impact? Step into the mission and become a Mosaic Ambassador. Share stories. Spread grace. Change the world. Learn more about Mosaic International today.
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." – Ephesians 4:32
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