Good morning. Grace. This is an old topic for a preacher, but I will try to add a couple of things that may cause us to think about it for a moment or two today. Grace is defined as: unmerited favor; pardon and/or mercy; an exemption from what otherwise would be required; a free gift that is undeserved but given without reservation.
When we consider grace from a Christian perspective, we always come to the truth that grace is ours through Jesus Christ, and through Him alone. Grace is God’s free gift to us, given without reservation, and given even though we do not deserve it. God’s grace provides and applies His special mercy to exempt us from the penalty we have earned through our sin. We may feel that we know all that is required about grace, but I would like to share a couple of thoughts just to make sure.
- Imagine that it is the end of a sermon message on Sunday morning. Before we get to our closing prayer and song, I hold up a dollar bill and ask the congregation, “All right, this is one dollar that I will now give away. Who would like to have it? What would your first reaction be? Would your hand shoot into the air, “Me! Me?” Or would you hesitate, and if so, why? I mean, it is a free dollar. Who couldn’t use an extra buck? Well, if you are like me your first reaction might be, “OK, but what is the catch?” I mean, after all, our mommas and dads trained us to be wary of anything that looks free but could be the bait for a trap. My dad used to say, “Nothing is as expensive as a free lunch.” His point was that quite often what is presented as being free is actually given with some hidden strings attached.
Is this same hesitation entering into your thinking when God offers you the free gift of grace when your sinful behavior requires forgiveness? Is our reaction to grace, “Hmmmm. OK, maybe. But what is the catch?”
My first thought today regarding grace is whether we have been conditioned by the failures of this world to be skeptical and reluctant when grace is being offered. If you feel that you have gotten past this hesitation where the grace of God for forgiveness of sin is concerned, how about grace that is being offered from one Christian to another. This grace also comes to us through Jesus, but in this case, it is given through his people. Hebrews 4:16 urges us to accept grace: Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. In Ephesians 4:32 the word grace isn’t used, but it is certainly at the heart of the command: Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Is it possible that we may be reluctant to accept the free gift of grace when it is being offered by a fellow Christian? Is our first thought, “OK, what’s the catch?”
- My second thought about grace for us today is this: Imagine that a congregation was together on a chartered airplane, flying across the country to take part in a special event. Suddenly, the pilot interrupts the conversations: “Ladies and gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. First, the bad news is that we are experiencing an engine malfunction and there is no way this plane is going to remain in the air much longer.” Gasps and cries fill the air, and someone yells, “What is the good news?” “The good news” the pilot says, “is that this plane has a new kind of parachute, enough for everyone on board. It is foolproof, no training required. You just put it on and jump and all will be well. See you on the ground!” “Wait!” someone yells. “Is there a pink one? I really would like one that goes with my slacks.” “That’s right” someone else yells. “Make mine purple because I am a Vikings fan!” Another person yells, “I don’t care what color it is, as long as mine is the biggest and the best. I think everyone would agree that I deserve to wear the biggest and the best parachute!”
Is it possible that we, at times, may be tempted to put conditions on grace? Is God’s plan for our salvation through the blood of Jesus and our obedience to His commands subject to our personal interpretations or requirements?
Wouldn’t these comments be ridiculous? “I accept your grace Lord, but only on my terms?” “I understand your command for baptism Lord, but I will only obey in my own way and on my own schedule.” “I appreciate your grace Lord, but if the application of your grace comes through obedience to your commands, well, then I’m not so sure. You are commanding repentance, and I don’t know if I really want to do that.”
We will need grace today. The grace of God is essential, for it is unlikely that any of us will be perfect in purity and righteousness throughout our days. We will also need the grace that comes to us by the love of Jesus but given to us from one to another. The love of Christ and His grace are poured out to us, and through us. We require every kind of grace to remain connected and fully functional.
Grace is our free gift from God, and no, the requirement of obedience to His commands does not make the gift any less free. It is kind of like receiving a birthday gift from a family member or a dear friend. The gift is freely given, but unless you open the gift you aren’t going to appreciate it. Obedience is how we unwrap the gifts God gives us.
Live grace, give grace, give praise for grace!
Vern