Grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin! I was always so confused by the concept of grace. At least the grace that was taught to me at church confused me. Grace is defined as an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency. Is grace conditional? CAN grace be conditional? According to most "Christians" the answer to that question is yes. That is the part I never understood.
In my opinion, it is not truly grace if it comes with conditions. Anytime I try to wrap my brain around how God sees humans I start by relating it to how I feel about my son. If he screws up and begs me not to punish him and decide not to punish him I have shown him mercy. If he screws up and instead of punishing him I give him $100 even though he didn't deserve it...that is grace. I was taught that God sent his son to die for us....BUT you had to "accept" the gift or it wasn't yours. I used to be a champ and defending this aspect of faith. If I gave you a gift, let's just say I wrote you a check for $1000, and you never cashed it did you truly receive the benefits of my gift? That was always my argument for why some would go to hell...cuz they never "cashed the check". But here is my snag now...while the phrase "the gift of grace" is thrown around quite often...I am not sure it is accurate. A gift does imply that you must accept it to truly have it. To me, that isn't grace.
Here is another analogy that I consider more accurate for grace. Let's say my son has racked up a HUGE debt with a credit card company. This debt is so large there is no way he can pay it off and the creditors are nipping at his heels. He makes a $20 payment here and there but the interest compounds and the debt just keeps growing. I love my son and don't want to see him in financial trouble even though he is in that position by his own doing. What if I called the creditors on his behalf and paid his debt outright. Paid in full. Is this transaction complete without my son doing anything....yes. Does he have to call them and tell the creditors that he wishes to "accept" the payment I made...no. Would I do it because I want my son to now worship me everyday and tell me how awesome I am as a dad....no. I would do it because I love him. Would I tell him that I did this for him BUT...if he doesn't "accept" it then I am going to throw him to the creditors...no. Grace is something given even when undeserved...expecting NOTHING in return.
Keep coming back...it works if you work it....
In my opinion, it is not truly grace if it comes with conditions. Anytime I try to wrap my brain around how God sees humans I start by relating it to how I feel about my son. If he screws up and begs me not to punish him and decide not to punish him I have shown him mercy. If he screws up and instead of punishing him I give him $100 even though he didn't deserve it...that is grace. I was taught that God sent his son to die for us....BUT you had to "accept" the gift or it wasn't yours. I used to be a champ and defending this aspect of faith. If I gave you a gift, let's just say I wrote you a check for $1000, and you never cashed it did you truly receive the benefits of my gift? That was always my argument for why some would go to hell...cuz they never "cashed the check". But here is my snag now...while the phrase "the gift of grace" is thrown around quite often...I am not sure it is accurate. A gift does imply that you must accept it to truly have it. To me, that isn't grace.
Here is another analogy that I consider more accurate for grace. Let's say my son has racked up a HUGE debt with a credit card company. This debt is so large there is no way he can pay it off and the creditors are nipping at his heels. He makes a $20 payment here and there but the interest compounds and the debt just keeps growing. I love my son and don't want to see him in financial trouble even though he is in that position by his own doing. What if I called the creditors on his behalf and paid his debt outright. Paid in full. Is this transaction complete without my son doing anything....yes. Does he have to call them and tell the creditors that he wishes to "accept" the payment I made...no. Would I do it because I want my son to now worship me everyday and tell me how awesome I am as a dad....no. I would do it because I love him. Would I tell him that I did this for him BUT...if he doesn't "accept" it then I am going to throw him to the creditors...no. Grace is something given even when undeserved...expecting NOTHING in return.
Keep coming back...it works if you work it....
I think most people want to believe that they do something without expecting anything in return, but sadly, that is not actually the case. How many times do you say "I love you" and automatically expect to hear someone say it back? I guess we can all hope and pray (if that is your thing) that the intentions of our actions are seen the way we had hoped. I know I've been on the giving and receiving end, but it's how gracefully we handle the situation that shows our true character.
ReplyDeleteexactly...we are human...and we give God human characteristics because that is all we know to do...we have to stop thinking god reacts like we do.
ReplyDeleteIf God is all-powerful, as the church says, why couldn't he/she or whatever you choose to call the ineffable, just treat us with the love that many claim he (sorry) embodies. I don't know what sin is. Sure, I know the definition that all of us learned, the archery metaphor and all, but I don't know if there is such a thing. If we are all one, and I think we are, then can God sin? I think not. So, what is there to forgive? How can God forgive him/her/itself. We really know nothing of God. We try to put him/her/it in a box and immediately we find, if we're honest, that we know nothing. That's what makes this journey so exciting! Can't wait for the next part.
ReplyDeleteI love the debt analogy for grace...
ReplyDeleteI also agree, true grace does not come with conditions!
ReplyDelete