Amazing Grace

The Holidays are fast approaching and already I’m beginning to think about the expenses of the season.  The kids have already given me their Christmas lists, and I could have saved them some time just by writing down the name of every product sold during two hours of watching The Disney Channel or Nickelodeon.  I’ve been thinking through all the close family members, friends, and workmates that I want to buy a gift for, and feeling a bit anxious about what would be the right item for each.  Now, I’ll be honest.  Though I have these thoughts every year, it’s my wonderful wife who takes the initiative to acquire all the Christmas Contraband and wrap it for its respective recipient.

There is one thought that never crosses my mind during all this activity; that is, getting these loved ones to reimburse me for my seasonal expenses.  In fact, when I receive a gift from them, I do not reach for my wallet and attempt to “settle up” with them.  That would be ridiculous.

Still it’s strange to me that as humans we respond to the greatest gift ever given by God to man with some pressure to earn it.  What’s the gift I’m referring to?  Grace.

Amazing as it is, grace is a difficult subject to swallow, much less receive.  Did you know that the word “grace” is used over 150 times in the New Testament, and 100 times in just the writings of the Apostle Paul?  It was a real hot button item for him, having been a part of a devout religious sect that practiced rigid legal compliance, and even had customs for washing their hands a certain way before eating.  Talk about working for it.  When Paul had a miraculous encounter with Jesus Christ it changed his whole view of religious piety and legalistic practices.  He found that the forgiveness and salvation offered by Christ could never be bought, repaid, or earned, no matter how hard you tried.

Grace means “unmerited favor”.  That means you get something good, too good, more than you deserve.  Grace is related to love, but it’s a very special kind of love.  It’s the kind of love that makes a parent unable to give up on an ungrateful, rebellious, and hateful child.  It’s the kind of love that gives one more chance to a person that has used up all their chances.  It is grace that warns an enemy “Hey, you’re about to fall in a pit” even after they’ve pushed you into it a few times.

At this point, you might be thinking “I believe in grace, but that’s going too far.  I’d never be that gracious.”  But I wasn’t talking about you being gracious.  I’m talking about God being gracious.  The grace that He gives us is love when we are the most unlovable, favor when what we’ve done seems unforgivable, and help when we feel downright horrible.  And He doesn’t present us with a bill after this benevolent act.  He doesn’t say “Alright, on the treadmill you go to burn off your mortal sins for the next two hundred years.”

No, God doesn’t make us His eternal slaves.  He invites us into His family as beloved children.  This invitation has nothing to do with our goodness, our righteousness, or our ability to be religious.  It’s all about a gift; His gift.  He thought of it (at Creation), He offered it (at Christmas), He paid for it (at the Cross).  And what’s your responsibility?  I’m so glad you asked!  Just do what you will do when your family gathers at the tree this year to exchange presents.  Take the packages that have your name on them, recognize the work that’s gone into the wrapping, identify the One who gave it, rip it open excitedly to reveal the surprise inside, and exclaim with sincerest gratitude, and gleeful smile “Thank you so much! You shouldn’t have, you really shouldn’t have!  But thank you!”