Man's Need for Grace

After writing blogs and books for five years, some themes have surfaced that get more clicks than others.  Two of those themes are “grace” and “hope”.  And they tie together, I think.  We hope for grace and all that it represents when it arrives. 

And what is grace?  In its simplest form, grace means God’s love in action towards mankind who merited the opposite.  Grace means God moving heaven and earth to save sinners who could not lift a finger to save themselves. 

2 Corinthians 5:21 puts it this way:  “God hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

The most common terminology of grace sounds like this:  the undeserving favor of God.

A couple of ideas jump out at us as we read these words.  The phrase “grace means God’s love in action towards mankind who merited the opposite” for instance.

What is the opposite of love?  The words “hate”, “despise”, and “condemnation” come to mind.  So, without grace at play, we would get condemnation, judgment, and the weight of sin that no man or woman can bear. 

The second thought that speaks loudly is this:  “Grace is undeserving favor.”

As a Boy Scout I understood the merit badge system.  If I accomplished a certain task, then I earned a badge of honor.  Some of the Scouts in our troop had a sash across their shoulders and those sashes were covered with dozens of merit badges.  They earned those badges by doing what was required. 

And then along comes grace.  Grace says just the opposite.  You don’t deserve it.  You don’t earn it.  You can’t be good enough, or say enough prayers to earn God’s grace.  It is freely given.  It is yours for the asking. 

Let’s revisit a familiar parable from the scriptures.

A group of workers were hired for a sum of money at 9AM.

Another group of workers agreed to work and started their day at 12 noon.

A last group didn’t start until 5PM.

The “stop working” bell rang and the workers lined up to receive their pay.

Those who started at 9AM received what was promised.

Those who started at 12 noon received the same pay as the 9 o’clock crowd.

And when the 5PM gang came to get paid, they received the same as all the others. 

The 9AM crown was mad.  They wanted more; after all, they had worked all day.  They wanted their merit badge sash to glisten with more gold, after all, they had been at it longer.

But Grace said, “It is not about showing up first, doing the most, or being the best.  Grace is about the love of the giver.”

Wow!  A dozen times WOW!

God is the giver.  Grace is his to dispense to whoever calls out. 

No matter if you are 8 or 88, a simpleton or a wizard, President or pauper, in God’s economy of things, you share equally at the grace place.

Stow your merit badge.  Put away your hang-dog look.  You get to step up to the table of God’s grace whether you have plenty or need plenty. 

Whether you win the merit badge race or lose your sash.  You are welcomed because GRACE is freely bestowed.

Let’s revisit these words from a cherished old hymn.

Verse 1

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Verse 4

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You who are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?

Refrain:

Grace, grace, God’ grace

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within

Grace, grace, God’s grace

Grace that is greater than all our sin

Do you see the thread of hope found in these lyrics?  It is something like this:

There is hope for you and me.  Some say …

I’m not the best dressed, the most talented …

I have lots of sin in my life.

I’m a lousy husband.

How could God love me in my despicable state?

Is there any hope for anyone?

You and I are as welcomed as anyone else at this table of grace.  What an amazing concept. 

So come on in – all who wish to partake in the grace of God this very moment.

You, especially YOU are invited.

Please watch this.

Grace Greater Than Our Sins

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time