Grace

Today's topic is grace and I'd like to bring it home.  There's the church definition (ethereal, heavenly, spiritual, etc.) but what does that mean in real life?  What is the real life application?  If we understand and are impacted by grace, how does it impact the lives we lead and the people we interact with?  

I think if the impact of grace fully hits/impacts us, then the second part (how others are impacted by us) will naturally flow.  

Let's start with grace, what it is and how it works.  Let's look at two very familiar Bible stories:  1) woman caught in adultery and 2) thief on the cross.  Note that in both of these stories, there are two main characters: in #1, it's the woman and Jesus.  In #2, it's the thief and Jesus.  So before we get into either story, let me say that grace begins between us (individually) and Jesus (nuff said).  

These two stories are somewhat similar:  Both have a sinner being condemned by society.  In the woman's case, Jesus' words turned the crowd’s thoughts towards their own sin and slowly, one by one, they dropped their accusations (starting with the older ones).  Then, Jesus also, forgave the woman of her sins, and asked her to go, and sin no more.  He forgave her and asked her to stop sinning because He knew that this would be the BEST life for her (see John 10:10).  

This is not in the Bible, but I imagine that if Jesus came through that town 10 more times and was presented with that same woman, caught in that same sin, I'm convinced that Jesus would respond lovingly, "your sins are forgiven, go now, and sin no more".  That my friends, is grace.  

Now, on to the thief:  Unfortunately (from an earthly perspective) the people have already delivered the death sentence to the thief.  He is hanging, bleeding and dying.  Sure, God could have removed him from the cross, healed his wounds and said, "go now and sin no more".  Interestingly enough, the thief, did not even ask for that!  The words the thief chooses are profound and describe what he desires.  Check it out...

³⁹ One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” ⁴⁰ But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹ And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” ⁴³ And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

This my friends is grace.  The first thief is mocking.  The second recognizes his sin and that he deserves to die.  He also recognizes, Jesus' innocence and yet they are both under the same death sentence.  Then, from a place of humility, all he asks is "remember me when You come into Your Kingdom".  In these few words, the thief says that Jesus is King and asks to be remembered.  This thief is saved per Romans 10:9 "If you declare with your mouth 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

OK, so now we got the church definition of grace and we unpacked two familiar Bible stories.  Let's get down to brass tacks:  How does all this church stuff impact how we walk?  I see three main facets:  1) Humbled 2) Justified & 3) Changed.  Both characters in the stories and ourselves (see Rom 3:23) are guilty of sin.  From this place of humility, guilt we are impacted/motivated to go and sin no more (end facet 1).  Now that we have received the free gift of grace (see Eph 2:8) we are justified 100% fully members of God's family, we are confident of our place.  This is a great place to be. We are forgiven, loved and can have peace and joy in life/relationship to God.  So now, to the third facet, how this naturally flows into our lives at work, play, friends, family, etc.  

What we have been freely given, we are to freely give.  Love one another (John 13:35).  In humility, consider others over yourself (Phil 2:3).  Why do you look at the spec in your brother's eye? (Matt 7:3)  We have great power:  If you forgive anyone his sins they are forgiven (John 20:23).  And lastly one reason we don't need to judge and point out others sin is because the Holy Spirit is on it and will do it (see John 16:8). 

So how are you doing?  I’ll leave you with this:  You can tell a tree by it’s fruit (Matt 7:16).  What fruit are you producing?  Can an observer of your life tell that you are saved by grace and distributing love and grace?  What are some tangible ways this is seen?  What evidence is there? 

Second question:  Are you 1) humbled?  2) Justified?  3) Changed?

Stay tuned for our next topic:  Talking about God vs. Talking with God.