Grace: it’s something we all need to receive; it’s something we all need to give.
In the simplest of terms, grace is unmerited favor. It is something that is received, or that is given, not deserved.
As it pertains to our relationship with God, the following, familiar acrostic summarizes grace well:
G.R.A.C.E.
G. od’s
R. iches
A. t
C. hrist’s
E. xpense
God’s love, His forgiveness, His favor and friendship are not something we deserve, can be bought with money, or that can be earned by following some “self-help” plan.
These amazing gifts of God can only be received through belief in the Person of Jesus Christ and in the work of redemption and restoration He accomplished through His death and resurrection.
The Problem With Grace
The problem with grace is that if we see our need for it, then we must humble ourselves to receive it.
To do so is an admission that we need help. To do so means that we must stop striving to obtain some level of perfection in our walk and in our work. It’s not possible! We can’t do it. To find freedom from the rat race we must follow the sage words of the wisest king who ever lived: Solomon…
“Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise—why destroy yourself?
Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool—Why die before your time?
It is good to grasp one and not let go of the other.
The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.” (Ecclesiastes 7:16-18)
Seeking to be overly righteous is like seeking to be perfect. Such vain pursuits will destroy you and those around you.
The Perfect Life
I have a confession to make. I had planned on posting something different this week. When my ideas weren’t coming together, I almost decided not post anything.
That bothered me for at least 3 reasons:
1. I have some perfectionistic, prideful streaks in me.
To not post something this week would have meant miss doing so for the first time in over 20 weeks.
2. I started KWM “Tipping Points” in response to a call I felt that God had given me.
3. I started KWM “Tipping Points” from a deep desire to serve you in your walk and work.
In some ways I felt I would be letting both you and God down if I did not post a blog this week (though I know that’s absolutely ludicrous!).
But then, after a brief lunch hour work out, the Lord gave me these thoughts and reminded me of the following quote from, The Life of Moses by Gregory Nyssa that I have wanted to share with you for some time.
So I will have to receive God’s grace (and yours) for another week, when posting a blog may not happen!
“This is true perfection: not to avoid a wicked life because like slaves we severely fear punishment, not to do good because we hope for rewards–as if cashing in on the victorious life by some business-like arrangement. On the contrary, disregarding all those things for which we hope and which we have reserved by promise, we regard falling from God’s friendship as the only thing dreadful, and we consider becoming God’s friend the only thing worthy of honor and desire. This as I have said is ‘the perfection of life.’”
Oh my friends, there is great joy and freedom found in grasping for excellence in our walk and work—while not letting go of the grip of God’s grace that covers our sins, imperfections, and the times we fall short of our goals. This is the perfect life, lived as a co-worker and friend of God!
Some Questions to Ponder and Process
I invite you to prayerfully ponder some of the following questions this week and challenge you to process them with some trusted friends or work associates. And of course, this would be some amazing dialogue—and a great ministry opportunity—if you were to contribute your thoughts by posting them online.
1. In what area do you find it difficult to receive God’s grace personally or professionally?
2. Are any of the problems you have at work, or at home, being caused by an internal desire to be perfect?
3. If left unaltered or unaddressed, where might you end up 1, 3, or 5 years from now?
4. What destructive results have you seen from others who are striving to be perfect?
5. What are some things you could do this week to enrich your friendship with God?