WATCHWORD:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2
Meditation:
Unpopular Grace
Randy Alcorn, in his book The Grace and Truth Paradox, tells the story of the night, in 1993, when Wesley Dodd was executed for the torture, molestation and murder of three boys. At the dinner table that evening, both of his daughters, ages 11 and 13, prayed earnestly that Dodd would repent and place his faith in Christ before he died.
This execution was a big deal. Multiple media representatives witnessed it and crowds of people waited to know the monster was dead. When those witnesses emerged, one read Dodd’s last words: “I had thought there was no hope and no peace. I was wrong. I have found hope and peace in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Alcorn reports that gasps and groans erupted from the crowd. The anger was palpable. How dare someone who has done something so terrible, would say he found hope and peace in Jesus? One headline read: Shut up and go to hell, child killer – you won’t get off so easy! It seems that the idea of God’s offering grace to Dodd was utterly offensive.
What do you think? Are you offended? Can we humans do things to other humans that would remove us from the grace of God? How about Hitler, or Dahmer, or Dodd, or any number of mass killers? And we have a lot in our society, today! Is your thought that you want justice? You want them to get what they deserved?
Best we be careful now. Is that what you and I want? Justice? Are we willing to get what we deserve? Do you think you are another Mother Teresa or Billy Graham, or how about Saint Paul? Oh, wait, I can hear all of them say, “No, I am an awful sinner saved by grace!”
Our sins, dear ones, were nailed to the Cross of Jesus, right along with the sins of the Dodds of the world. If God isn’t big enough to save Dahmer and Hitler, and other “monsters”, He’s not big enough to save us. Let’s be thankful we’re not getting what we deserve!
When you are standing alone before our Lord Almighty, do you want justice, or do you want His grace? So be it.
Bulletin Board:
This is a good place for a gentle reminder about sin and grace –
My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
my sin, not in part, but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well with my soul;
it is well, it is well with my soul!
Comprende’?
Closing Prayer:
O Jesus, I come before you in humility, asking for your grace and mercy. For you know the temptations of this world. You know the weaknesses of being human. Though you were strong enough to withstand the temptations and did not sin, I am not so strong. I come before you to ask for your grace and mercy in my time of need. For I am weak and I sin. I need your help daily to stay strong in my faith and continue to walk in your way. Lord Jesus, forgive me and shower me with your grace. Amen.
