The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
2 Thessalonians 3:18
It's hard to express Grace. Some have used acronyms to suggest it's meaning, God's Riches At Christ's Expense is one of the most commonly used. But what is grace? Before you get your "religious" answer out and say God's unmerited (or some use unearned) favor, rest your Sunday School lessons and give your tired brain a break. No acronym or one sentence phrase can truly describe it. As a matter of fact, when I felt led to write about it, it's because of my experience of Grace, not my education. I am a recipient of Grace. I am blessed to not only know of the Grace of God from the Savior, but from those who I love and whom love me. It's great to have that. I have fallen short a few times (a few more than I am willing to share openly with all, but take my word for it, some know) My question do you know Grace? Having been given Grace by God and those who understand it's power as believers, It is my prayer, that in some limited way, you will understand Grace in a little more depth today.
Let me share, using as many an acrostic, my thoughts on Grace. They may not be complete, but then I don't think I will understand what complete Grace is until I experience the life after this one in the presence of life's greatest Grace giver.
Let's look at G R A C E...
.
G = Giving more than anyone else ever thought of giving...
When you think of how much was given to us as humans, you will see that God's grace is a giving grace. When I got up this morning, I was able to see, grace. when I got up this morning I was able to breath. I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner today, most of us did. but those are small graces, some of which not all can enjoy. But the largest of graces, God's Son. He was at the right hand side of the Father and he chose, yes chose (see Philippians 2:3-8) to leave it for you and I. Add skin and he was stuck in the human condition so he could face the things we face and understand them on our level (Hebrews 4:14-16) Then as if it was not enough, he allowed, yes allowed others to accuse, beat, batter, gossip, spit, pluck hair from and then crucify as a common criminal. Life, totally sacrificed. And only one reason. Look in the mirror and you'll know.
When you think of how much was given to us as humans, you will see that God's grace is a giving grace. When I got up this morning, I was able to see, grace. when I got up this morning I was able to breath. I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner today, most of us did. but those are small graces, some of which not all can enjoy. But the largest of graces, God's Son. He was at the right hand side of the Father and he chose, yes chose (see Philippians 2:3-8) to leave it for you and I. Add skin and he was stuck in the human condition so he could face the things we face and understand them on our level (Hebrews 4:14-16) Then as if it was not enough, he allowed, yes allowed others to accuse, beat, batter, gossip, spit, pluck hair from and then crucify as a common criminal. Life, totally sacrificed. And only one reason. Look in the mirror and you'll know.
R = Running to places no one else would ever go...
Have you seen some of the places Jesus shows up... how about a wedding? What about by a well? What about to a church where everyone was suspect? On a ship in a storm, of course he came by water (literally, he even walked on it) What about Gadara that was a great stop! And then there's that little stop in Bethany, boy did he get an ear full over that one. One stop the deceiver tried his luck but just like all the other places Jesus went, He shined. Shined in the dark and in the light, in the rain and in the sun. He was the same in church as he was sitting at the marriage table with a couple celebrating. Every place, Grace. Why? I like Max Lucado's take, Because he loved people. It's why he went where he went and why the next letter says so much. It's why he showed up in a little church in Pontiac Michigan one day. It's may seem amazing to you, he may have visited a place you were in one day, do you remember?
Have you seen some of the places Jesus shows up... how about a wedding? What about by a well? What about to a church where everyone was suspect? On a ship in a storm, of course he came by water (literally, he even walked on it) What about Gadara that was a great stop! And then there's that little stop in Bethany, boy did he get an ear full over that one. One stop the deceiver tried his luck but just like all the other places Jesus went, He shined. Shined in the dark and in the light, in the rain and in the sun. He was the same in church as he was sitting at the marriage table with a couple celebrating. Every place, Grace. Why? I like Max Lucado's take, Because he loved people. It's why he went where he went and why the next letter says so much. It's why he showed up in a little church in Pontiac Michigan one day. It's may seem amazing to you, he may have visited a place you were in one day, do you remember?
A = Accepting those who others had written off ...
Where to start? Could it be with the little lady caught in her featherbed by the guys who were trying to cause Jesus heartburn? And what about that Maniac, you know the one everyone ran from until they could chain him up for his safety and theirs? A stinky grave where others warned the deceased was rank? How about a short guy (no jokes here please) known for having a heavy calculator, "one for you, one for me, two for you and one, two for me, three for you, and one, two, three for me" well you get the picture. Gotta wonder who talked when they heard about his little excursion at the well, how could he choose to go through Samaria anyhow. The tax collector and the smelly fishermen. Shouldn't a king be a little more discerning? He was!! When accused in public for healing the sick by forgiving their sin, when talked about by men of lesser character for his acquaintances, He calmly replied... , "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick." (Matthew 9:12, Mark 2:17, Luke 5:31). He went to those who others thought were less worthy. I know this little guy who had buck teeth and slobbered on himself from time to time, boy did his friends think it was funny. He accepted him inside a little church in Pontiac Michigan one Sunday. Do you fit this category? Others forgot, yet He remembers. Others say you're not all you should be and he says by Grace I'll make you like Me. Others see no value, He sees his creation. Written off? He wrote your story, and he wants you to trust him with the rest of it. (and now you know who really knows the rest of the story, eat your heart out Paul Harvey)
C = Corralling those who thought they didn't need it...
Inside a church many years ago, full of verses and laws, sat a group of men who were waiting for a man. This man would not be just any man, but he would be from God. Sacred words were deeply stored in their hearts... "For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." (Isaiah 9:6-7). Only one problem. They had gotten so wrapped up in the least important parts that when he showed up, they saw him as an enemy. He tried to get them to see, but they were blinded by their own importance. When confronted about their pompous attitudes they grew angry instead of apologetic. Oh their not the only ones to miss the mark even if they felt there was no need to measure their life. One young lawyer proclaimed he had kept all the commandments, only to walk away when asked to give of what he had held back so he would help the poor. Another ambitious young Jewish man wanted to know who is neighbor was only to be laid bare after Jesus used a Samaritan dog to compare his compassion to. There may be some of you reading this today, you have been "good". I just have one question, "how good is good enough?" Grace, that's the only good enough, realize this and it will make your load much lighter.
E = Essence of God himself...
Peter, a man who understood Grace, writes... The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) His heart breaks to see us come home. To understand this you must look at where he shows up with Grace. In the garden, it was Grace that kept Adam and Eve from eating of the tree of life, if they had, we'd live eternally in the decay of sin It was Grace that Noah found when the world was so bent against the things of God. It was Grace that Moses received when he bowed his head to the ground and asked for it in spite of being part of a "stiff-necked" group of insolents. It's this Grace Paul said we were saved by, He and Silas recommended it for the lives of those they taught, not just to receive it for their salvation but to pass it along to the brethren. It was Grace Paul appealed to when a repentant brother came home after immoral relations with his fathers wife and it was Grace, in it's truest form, that kept Jesus on task all the way to the cross, and then all the way back home to complete the job so His father could call us home. It is the very fragrance of God, take a whiff, smell that aroma of praise, forgiveness and holiness, That's Grace!!
What's your response to God's Grace? Examine and act accordingly. Maybe you need to remove a burden your heart has carried. Maybe you need it to clean a sin that has robbed you of sleep and sanity. Or maybe you need it to remind you of your responsibility to pass it along when you have been a recipient. Look and act accordingly.
Rambling in the wonderful richness of some old hymns... Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin! and then there's my all time favorite, it was sung acapella by the Cathedral Quartet years ago... Wonderful Grace of Jesus, greater than all my sin; How shall my tongue describe it, Where shall its praise begin? Taking away my burden, setting my spirit free; O the Wonderful Grace of Jesus reaches me! (click here to enjoy the whole song ..
Till next time...
No comments:
Post a Comment