Grace

I think most of us can think of a time when there was a bratty kid at the grocery store. A usually good child who just doesn’t want to be there. Picture him, a little boy with big eyes and a wide smile. His mom has him perfectly styled and they seem to be the perfect little family. As they stroll through the store they come to the candy aisle. “Mommy, I want candy!” he says, they mother of course says “Not today buddy”. The pleas from the child grow louder “I want candy now!!” and the mother replies yet again “No honey, we have candy at home.”

This little boy is not happy, and he begins to show it anyway he can. He screams, cries, kicks and generally flails about the grocery cart as his mom valiantly tries to stay calm and finish shopping as quickly as she can. As they reach the check out line his fit continues when he spies more candy right within reach. “ I WANT CANDY!” he screams. The mother feeling much more exasperated says “No, I told you no and I mean it. You’re in big trouble when you get home!” The mother and the son leave the store angry and upset. Not to mention the people in the store who had to witness this exchange.

There is no doubt that this child is sinning against his mother. This is the woman who gave birth to him, cares for him when he is sick, and getting to the heart of the matter, she is the one who usually buys him candy! Yet this child berates her in front of an entire store of people.

Think about the love and mercy this mother showed to her son. She did not pick her son up and shake him for being naughty. She loved him because he is her son. While she must be the authority in her child’s life, she is also the source of great love.

Now think about God. He lovingly created Adam and Eve, and pronounced them good. Even though they had everything in the Garden, they were tempted by the one thing they couldn’t have. Yet even though Adam and Eve disobeyed God, in lovingkindness He gave them a way to escape the punishment they deserved. He also promised to one day send a perfect sacrifice to save the whole world.

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:12

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5:8-9

God loved us even though man committed terrible acts against their Creator. He sent His own Son to die for us.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16.

The result of this love is grace. We can do nothing to save ourselves.

For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9.

Grace is possible because of the blood of Christ. As hard as I might work by doing good for those around me, by trying not to sin, by punishing myself with guilt; only the grace of God can save me from myself.

The mother with the disobedient child, while she still loves her child with all her heart, will more than likely discipline her child at home. Our Father in heaven is different. He will not punish us when we reach our heavenly home because of the the saving work of Christ on the cross, and the grace of God. Though we have sinned against God, if we believe on Christ to save us from our sins, instead of eternal suffering, we are given eternal peace and comfort beyond our wildest imaginations. We don’t simply avoid punishment by God’s mercy, we will enjoy all good things because of His grace.