One of the most recognized songs in the English language is "Amazing Grace". It resonates in each of us because of our deep, personal, sense of need. It isn't just cultural, it is human. Part of the human condition is the condition of a basic understanding of our inability to measure up to a standard of right and wrong. Every culture and every religion in the world has some means to remove guilt. Unfortunately, most involve some form of bodily mutilation and pain. We have in us a deep sense of a debt that needs to be paid. One of the things, some would say the biggest thing, about Christianity is that it is the only religion and culture that offers free grace as the means of removing guilt. The price is there, but Jesus takes the pain and the penalty upon himself for us. That is the scandal of grace... we can't deserve it, we can't earn it, we can't some how repay it. It is a debt beyond our capabilities.
Because of songs like "Amazing Grace" most of us have an inkling of what that grace might mean for us... still all of us only scratch the surface of what that grace means. Today I was thinking about grace and the extravagance of God's grace. The idea that God not only offers it... He dumps it upon us in quantities that are unimaginable. As Ephesians 1 says we have "the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished upon us with all wisdom and understanding." God gives us grace beyond our understanding! Truly Amazing Grace.
A question... Do I extend that grace to others? It is all good and fine that God loves me so extravagantly, but do I extend that to others in the amount that I receive? OUCH!! I must confess that I love singing about God's Amazing Grace, but when it comes to changing the words of the song just a little, to singing about me giving grace... me forgiving others, even if I have the right to not forgive... OUCH!! again. I have no right to hang onto the very things God so lavishly graces. The grace that is so sweet a sound in my ears becomes a jackhammer to my soul if I hoard God's love with out sharing it. The sweet sound that saved a wretch like me saves a wretch like you. The grace that removes my sin, removes yours. The grace that is the cure for my spiritual blindness is the same grace that will teach your heart to sing. Let's not hoard the gift we have been given so freely. Let's see if we can't out give God's generosity. God wants to see each of us extending His offer of free, unlimited grace to everyone... especially to our enemies.
Amazing Grace how sweet the the sound that saved a wretch like me,
I have been forgiven much so now I must forgive seven times seventy.
There is no sight as beautiful to see,
as the grace I though Jesus extend to thee.
Grace and Peace
Pastor Bill (enjoying the Northwest but missing you all in Pueblo West)
