Sitting in my car at lunch I was enjoying the rays through the sun roof and pondering the most often asked questions I get from week to week. (I know, I need to get a life right?) Anyway, I came to conclude most questions I receive are based in an insufficient view of grace. So, with my salute to Jeff Foxworthy, I want to list the top reasons "You might not understand grace if..."
You might not understand grace if you think one sin is greater than another,
You might not understand grace if you think God is more surprised by your failures than you are,
You might not understand grace if you think God loves you less when you sin more,
You might not understand grace if you think you are better than another believer because you attend church more often than they do,
You might not understand grace if you think everybody who goes to heaven will only come from your denomination,
You might not understand grace if you think you can do anything worthy of salvation outside of throwing yourself into the arms of a merciful Savior,
You might not understand grace if you think rock & roll will send you to hell (you may fill in any brand of music here from hip-hop to Lady Gaga in place of rock & roll,)
You might not understand grace if you think crying during a Bill Gaither Homecoming video means you are saved,
Finally, you might not understand grace if you think you deserve better treatment from God because you are a good person.
If you doubt these profound statements then turn to the Word.
John 3:16-18 (NKJV)
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Matthew 5:44-45 (NKJV)
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
1 John 1:8-10 (NKJV)
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Love Love Love this post. I think I'll print it and read it everyday to remind myself of these things! Thanks!
Posted by: Meredith | June 01, 2011 at 08:38 AM