Say... Grace!
In 1822, the Scottish missionary, Rev. John MacDonald met the inhabitants of the island of St. Kilda and asked them how a man must be saved.
An old man replied, "We shall be saved if we repent, and forsake our sins, and turn to God." "Yes," added a middle-aged woman, "and with a true heart too." "Aye," rejoined a third, "and with prayer"; and, added a fourth, "It must be the prayer of the heart." "And we must be diligent too," said a fifth, "in keeping the commandments."
Thus, each having contributed his mite, feeling that a very decent creed had been made up, they all looked and listened for the preacher's approval, but they had aroused his deepest pity.[1]
The human mind always maps out for itself a way in which self can work and become great, but the Lord's way is quite the reverse.
The truth of redemption is so simple that people often miss it. Jesus did not tell sinners to change themselves.
One of the most astonishing things from the Gospel accounts is the way sinners were drawn to Jesus. “He eats and drinks with sinners,” the religious leaders charged in appalled disgust. Sinners were drawn to Christ because he welcomed them just the way they were. His invitation was profound for a religious teacher of the day: “Come unto me all who are weary…” It was not a condescending command, demanding perfection. It was a heartfelt welcome, directed at a person’s deepest pain. He lived out his own words to his disciples: “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
This is the astonishing heart of the Gospel.
God draws us to repentance with kindness. His mercy is a healing balm that restores broken souls. His grace gives us a future of hope, because Jesus gave us the cross. It is all about receiving His grace, not earning it.
Now, He asks us to give some of that kindness away.
I’ve been reading a fantastic book on Grace[2], written by a friend of mine. In it, he describes the “Grace Deficit” that exists in today’s culture and in churches. He writes:
“The grace deficit will not be corrected by Christians becoming louder, angrier, or better at winning arguments. It will begin to close when people who have received extravagant grace become extravagant givers of grace. It happens when we remember the lonely, welcome the prodigal, forgive the offender, restore the fallen, listen to the hurting, and treat even those who disagree with us as people for whom Jesus died.”
Of course, God’s grace does not gloss over or ignore our sin. We come as we are, but do not stay that way. His Grace is a Transforming Grace. It changes us from the inside. This is critically important, because Jesus warned of Hell more often than He spoke of Heaven. Redemption is not optional, it’s the only way.
In recounting Mr. MacDonald’s missionary encounter, Charles Spurgeon ended his sermon on Grace with strong words.
“Reader, do you believe in Jesus? Then, dear friend, dismiss your fears, you shall be saved. Are you still an unbeliever, then remember there is but one door, and if you will not enter by it you will perish in your sins.” ~ C. Spurgeon
Jesus’ unconditional welcome draws us, but leaves those who neglect it without excuse.
If you’re a skeptic of Christianity, what’s keeping you from grace?
Do you feel it’s unnecessary?
Jesus was adamant: “I am the way the truth and the life, no one can come to the father except through me.” John 14:6. “The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanses us from all sin.” I John 1:7
Do you think it’s too difficult?
Jesus has done all the work. Trust in a person and not a creed—Jesus Himself.
Do you think it’s too easy?
Then why not give it a try?
[1], John MacDonald (1779–1849), was a prominent Scottish evangelical minister who was famously known as the "Apostle of the North" due to his extensive preaching tours throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
[2], The Grace Deficit, Rev. John D Wentworth.
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