Grace
“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 1:12-14
Each summer, our family looks forward to eating at the Pizza House in Traveler’s Rest, SC on our way up to Greystone. About 12 years ago, we started eating at the Pizza House with Furman students every Thursday after our Large Group Bible Study with RUF.
It didn’t take long for us to develop a friendship with George, the owner. After moving to Texas 7 years ago, we always make a special stop to see George and enjoy his food before coming on up to Greystone. We never have to worry whether George will remember us. Right when we walk through the door, he greets us with a kind word and a big hug. As soon as he is able to break free, he joins us at our table for a nice, long visit. Not only that, he always brings us dessert as well. It’s not just any dessert – it’s a piece of delicious cheesecake that his brother Mike makes. Cheesecake is one of my favorite foods in life.
Initially it was hard to accept George’s generosity. We are so much more accustomed to living by merit and not by grace. In our relationships, we earn and merit one another’s favor. Favor is not something we naturally give or get for free.
George’s generosity is a picture of grace and the Gospel. Grace is at the heart of the Gospel of Jesus. Samuel Storms says: “Grace ceases to be grace if God is compelled to bestow it in the presence of human merit…Grace ceases to be grace if God is compelled to withdraw it in the presence of human demerit…Grace is treating a person without the slightest reference to desert whatsoever, but solely according to the infinite goodness and sovereign purposes of God.”
Grace is beautiful when you understand it. God’s grace is His generous, free, unexpected, and undeserved favor. God loves us so much that he gave His Son so that we could have eternal and abundant life. This gift of grace was freely given to us. We don’t earn or deserve God’s gift of grace. That’s why it’s called grace. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. George treats us like family and won’t allow us to pay for our meal. God has made us His family through the gracious work of His Son.
From “All I Owe” by Matthew Smith
All I owe you paid for me From all I owe I’ve been set free And all I owe proves your great mercy to me
Have you shown someone grace recently? Has someone shown you grace recently? Did you easily accept it?