You deserve a break today! Does that phrase bring back memories? I asked several people what this phrase brought to mind and three out of four were able to place it. This catchy slogan may not have shaped our culture, but it certainly tells us what we want to hear. The generation in which we are living today, more than any other generation in American history, believes it really does deserve something. I guess we could debate about what brought us to this point in history, but that would only cause a distraction. What I cannot help but wonder is, what it is we think we deserve.If someone commits a crime, especially something very heinous, we think they deserve a punishment that fits their crime. On the other hand, we cannot stand to see the people we deem as an innocent or good endure hard times. In fact, it is this type of suffering that many people give as reason for not believing in God. Then there are those of us that feel like we deserve what ever we want when ever we want it. Unfortunately, what we really deserve in life is not simply determined by who our parents are, social status, or actions. What we really deserve in life is determined by the fact that we are human.
Here is the truth; we are all sinners that deserve eternal separation from God, and not just after death, but right now. Unfortunately, this includes even the most innocent of us. The moment we are born we are sinners, and there is nothing in our own power that we can do to overcome this. We do not deserve this world He created for us. We do not deserve to live easy lives. We do deserve to smile and laugh and enjoy life. And we certainly do not deserve to know He exists. Most people do not want to hear this and even if they do hear someone say it, they will refuse to accept it, but it is the truth.
Everything we have that brings joy, every provision we have, and any safety that we know is by God’s grace. It is this grace, the grace that Peter hoped believers would know, that leads to God’s amazing mercy.
1 Peter 1:3 (NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
God’s grace gives us what we do not deserve, and in His mercy He withholds the judgment and condemnation we are due. He has given the people of this world the opportunity to be reconciled in their relationship with Him, to know abundant life, and for that He is truly worthy to be praised.
What do we deserve? What have we been given?
2 comments:
Grace is getting what we don’t really deserve. I like that. How does grace tie into peace then? I mean, if I am saved, which I believe I am, and I have a personal relationship with Jesus and everything about my spiritual and physical sustenance is grace, then why don't I continue to have Peace about things? How can we have that peace that passes all understanding (most if not all of the time)? And, how do I learn to view the past, even the bad/horrible things, as grace? How do we help others to do the same without sounding glib?
O.K. Pastor Seth, lots of questions I know, but I seem to be aware of grace yet be unable to let go of past failures and tragedy. Likewise, I seem to be unable to live completely in peace. How do I go about fixing this or should I?
You raise some very good points, but not necessarily easy ones to deal with or answer.
Peace is one of the benefits that comes from God’s grace. It is one of those things that we don’t deserve but do receive. However, I do think we play some role in whether or not we experience it. Let me use some of your own words first to illustrate what I am getting at. As I do please do not hear me being harsh or condescending. That is certainly not my intention, but I want to be as honest with you as I can.
You wrote, “I seem to be aware of grace yet be unable to let go of past failures and tragedy.” This demonstrates something that is standing between you and God’s peace. Now let’s look at the verse you were referring to that contains the phrase “peace that passes all understanding.” The verse is found in Philippians 4:7, but we need to read it in context with its whole thought to understand what it says.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Notice the role Paul calls you to play, do not be anxious about anything. In the original text, the wording does not simply call us not to worry, but to trust so deeply in God, in all things, that we give Him our cares and concerns. Ultimately, he is telling us to let go of everything, and place it in God’s capable hands. Most of us will lay things down for a period of time, then pick them back up again and rehash them. God has been and will continue to shape you with those events in your past, so don’t forget them, but remember also that His grace is sufficient for you, His power is made perfect in weakness. There is nothing that you did that has not been forgiven, and nothing that has happened that God did not allow for your ultimate good, and possibly the good of others as well.
Those words are easier to write than understand, and easier to grasp intellectually than to apply them in life as we live and react in situations. The problem is that we assume that all suffering is bad. We have it in our mind that we will experience peace when things are just right in our life. That is why Paul wrote what he did. God’s peace transcends all of that and can be experienced not based on the landscape of our life, but on our connection with God. This is not a promise that your life will be trouble free, but that as you trust God, and give things over to him, you can know His peace in the midst of the walls falling around you.
I personally learned this lesson again. I was trying to carry a weight that I could not handle, and it was affecting every area of my life. I was walking around dazed and confused. I asked for prayer about it several times, but it was not until I got honest before God that I was trying to do things without Him and truly and quit trying to control the situation that things straightened out. Now good is coming from that, and I am seeing victory because now I can hope to help you, in a way that I hope does not come off as glib or pretentious, but as advice from someone that can identify with where you are.
More could be said, but I don't want to go to long without giving you a chance to read and respond. Thanks for your honesty, I will be praying that He helps you through this.
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