Grace

“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.'” Luke 23:39-41 (NIV)

Death row awaits with anticipation as the guard passes by one cell after another until he comes to your cell. The consequences of your criminal behavior reach the pinnacle as you intake your final few breaths. But wait, the guard unlocks the cell door and announces that you are completely free to leave the prison grounds. You have been pardoned! You will not have to pay for your sin!

Now wait a minute. How would you categorize such a transaction? Maybe there’s a word that comprehends such an act. Consider the word, grace. Perhaps mercy is not getting what we deserve and grace is getting what we do not deserve. Think about it. We do not deserve forgiveness, peace, a second chance, or love. But God gives us what we do not deserve.

Jesus responded to the repentant criminal on the cross by saying, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Now that’s giving the criminal something he does not deserve. I think that when it comes to our sinful state, we are all on death row! But, God gives us what we do not deserve. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast”(Eph. 2:8-9 NIV).

Pursuing God,

Stephen Trammell
Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care