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Amazing Grace
April 1, 2004
By Rev.
Todd Crofford
Sr. Pastor
Laurel Wesleyan Church
Nothing makes the heart sink like seeing those red and blue lights flashing in
your rear view mirror and knowing you are about to get pulled over by a police
officer. We wonder why that officer didn’t happen to see us when we were doing
good or being a model citizen just driving right at that speed limit.
In fact, we don’t get that horrible feeling when we see a police officer and we
are doing no wrong. We want police around when we are behaving and want them far
away when transgressing.
In many ways we feel that way about God. We figure the last thing we want is to
be caught in sin. We also tend to believe that since God is Holy, he likely is
not too keen on the idea of being near us at those times either.
In actuality, viewing God as a traffic cop is the diametric opposite of what he
is really like. The most disparaging comment the Pharisees could come up with
for Jesus was, “He is a friend of sinners.” Jesus proved that label as true time
and again, and never more dramatically than on the cross.
All of this is provided for us because God’s character is full of grace. In
other words, Jesus wants to be close to those who need him most. In turn, those
who need him most can come without fear to receive a gift purchased by God’s
grace. That gift is called forgiveness.
Seeing God as full of grace can have almost a scandalous nature to it. We are
very accustomed to concepts of fairness that believe everyone should “get what
they deserve.” Grace upbraids that mentality, lavishes love and forgiveness
where it is undeserved, simply because it is what we need.
We get access to this grace by simply asking. That is why we often call grace
free. But please don’t ever confuse the word free with cheap. It cost God
greatly, but he considered us worth it. No wonder John Newton called that grace
“Amazing.” And we have been singing that song in agreement with him for years
now!
Often we try to hide from God when we need him most. We are afraid that getting
near God will result in a citation. Actually, he has been near you the whole
time. He heard every word, viewed ever dark corner, understood every evil
thought. Yet he withholds condemnation, waiting for us to come into his light
while there remains time.
When we do, we will find the same loving God waiting for us that has extended
forgiveness and freedom to men and women of every generation for all time. He is
waiting for you today.
The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of Site One
Networks, Inc, the congregation of
the Laurel Wesleyan Church or the Wesleyan Church International. You may respond
to the author directly by E-mailing laurelwesleyan@siteone.net
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