God’s grace truly is amazing.  I like the little acrostic for grace —- God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.  Grace is totally underserved and unearned.  It is something freely given us by God.  One of the things I find so amazing about God’s grace is that it is inexhaustible.  Unlike insurance policy grace periods that last about 30 days or credit card grace periods that are 10 days. (I had a conversation recently with the folks at VISA about this.  I had to threaten to cancel in order to squeeze a drop of grace out of them).  Thankfully, God isn’t so tightfisted with His grace. 

             But have you ever wondered if maybe you were reaching your limit?  After all, how many times will God forgive the same failure?  Three? Ten?  Most of us could fill volumes with our misdeeds and blunders.  How many times have we lost our temper?  How many times have we reacted harshly or failed to be compassionate?  Could God ever get fed-up and refuse to forgive? 

             The New Testament would seem to say NO.  Paul can’t seem to come up with enough objectives to describe it.  For instance in II Corinthians 9:14 he speaks of “the surpassing grace God has given you (us).”  He calls it an “indescribable gift.”  Or listen to Ephesians 1: 7-8 ”In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.  Later in Ephesians 3 he prays that we might have the power “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge.” 

             Yet , here is the part that is so troubling.  How can we who have been the recipients of such amazing grace, be so stingy in dispensing it to others?  How about giving that grouchy co-worker the benefit of the doubt?  Lay off the horn when the distracted driver on the cell-phone cuts you off.  Why not smile and say something nice to the grumpy Wal-Mart clerk?  Or “cut some slack” to the busy waitress at lunch.  After all, “freely we have received, freely we should give. 

                                                                              Have a grace-filled week!
                                                                              Pastor Barry

P. S.     Have you ordered your BBQ sandwiches yet?  How about selling some at your work.  Or better yet show a little grace and treat your workplace to lunch.

P.S.S.   Don’t forget the Sunday School Picnic—This Saturday beginning at 5:00 P.M. (we will eat around 6:00 P.M.)
 


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