When you see someone suffering intense hardship (especially if he is reaping the consequences of sinful behavior) your response can come in two distinct ways ... i.e. "He deserves it and should have made better choices" or "There but for the grace of God go I"
The empathetic words of that second reaction are attributed to John Bradford, an 18th-century English Reformer who uttered them as he watched several criminals being led to their execution.
The oft-quoted saying acts as an impetus in those who humbly serve the Lord. For example, Paul never forgot how undeserving he was ...
For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1 Corinthians 15:9-10)
His instruction to the early church is still relevant today ...
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (Philippians 2:3)
You are ... dead in transgressions and sins. (Ephesians 2:1)
But redemption is being offered to you anyway ... God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (Romans 5:8, John 3:16)
Simply receive it ... For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Then, as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, God's abiding love, mercy, and grace will strengthen you when you're tempted, sustain you through difficulties, and keep you from a life steeped in sin.
You'll see lost souls and your heart will quietly remind you ... there but for the grace of God go I.
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