The late Billy Graham shared how he was once driving through a small southern town and was stopped by a policeman and charged with speeding. Graham admitted his guilt, but was told by the officer that he would have to appear in court. The judge asked, “Guilty, or not guilty?” When Graham pleaded guilty, the judge replied, “That’ll be ten dollars — a dollar for every mile you went over the limit.”
Suddenly the judge recognized the famous minister. “You have violated the law,” he said. “The fine must be paid–but I am going to pay it for you.” He took a $10 bill from his wallet, attached it to the ticket, and then took Graham out and bought him a steak dinner! “That,” said Billy Graham, “is how God treats repentant sinners!”
Ephesians 2:8-9 (AMP)
8 For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; 9 not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation].
What is grace? In the simplest of terms, it is unmerited favor.
God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense!
That is the first acronym of grace I was ever told, and I have never forgotten it. We live in a society where you are rewarded because of what you have done. You work and you get a salary. No wonder, we sometimes have a hard time understanding the God of grace. We still feel we need to do this and that to be saved, and sometimes put the same pressure on others.
Paul clearly tells us that it is by grace that we have been saved through faith, and this is not of ourselves but a GIFT from God. Grace is not getting what we deserve and also getting what we do not deserve, we all deserved death because the wages of sin is death and yet, God in his mercies has extended life to us through Jesus Christ.
He says come just as you are, trust in me and I will make a difference in your life.
Reflective Thoughts
How does God’s grace make you feel about yourself and about Him?
How does God’s grace towards you make you feel about how you relate towards others, especially those who have wronged you?
Take some time today, and thank God for His grace.
