A Question To Ponder
In this past week’s sermon, Pastor Kevin, began with a thought provoking question: “When you die and stand before God and give an account of your life, when God asks ‘Why should I allow you into heaven?’ What will your response be?” He went on to say that over the years of his ministry that many have answered that “I’m a good person.” He proceeded to ask “Do people get to go to heaven if they are ‘good enough’?” Immediately, we sought truth from the Bible. In Romans 3:23 it says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. What about if they do lots of “good works”? Again, the Bible is the place we need to go for God’s truth. Isaiah 64:6 tells us “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” As Jesus is teaching on prayer in Luke 11, in verse 13, He knows humanity, knows our hearts and calls us “evil”. The disturbing truth is that in the eyes of God who is holy, righteous, pure, sinless; we are evil. We like to think that we are not evil and we like to define various levels of sin. The truth is NONE of us measure up to God’s standard. Sin is sin. Gossip is as deadly as murder. We can’t earn salvation. We can’t dig our way out of the pit of sin. God has to do it. I can’t save myself.
Ephesians 2: 8-9
For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves,
it is the gift of God.-not by works, so that no one can boast.
This is the GOSPEL! The GOOD NEWS! God provided salvation for us! He (Jesus) chose to willingly die on the cross for our sins. He puts His Spirit inside of us. God gives us a GIFT. It has to be a gift. We can’t earn it. We are saved by GRACE. Although this concept is simple, it is difficult for many to accept. Culture teaches us to “work hard” and accomplish great things. We define success as achieving titles, earning a 6 digit salary, owning a home, having a business, etc. We don’t like to think of ourselves as “needy.” and not being able to earn our own way. This thinking causes many people to “trip” over grace.
Romans 9:33
As it is written:
“See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
Jesus is the Rock. Historically, the Jews have tried to obey God’s law, rather than trusting in Jesus. They “tripped” over the Rock, Jesus. ALL are offered the gift of salvation through Jesus. But, like a large rock, in a field you can trip and fall flat on your face. This can be embarrassing, painful, humbling. Falling is not fun!
The grace of God offered to us in Jesus is like a stumbling stone. Grace reveals my “neediness.” Accepting God’s grace, means I have to humble myself and realize that I need help. I can’t do it myself. I have to be completely dependent on God! I have to depend on His charity. In our pride, we don’t want to feel like we owe anyone, anything. We stumble over the stone of grace. We have to realize that we owe God. We are only saved by His charity. Grace emphasizes my neediness. Grace crucifies my pride! I have to be reminded that there is a God and I’m NOT Him!
Grace declares God as primary actor in the drama of life! Grace leaves NO room for me to live for my own glory! Grace says “It’s not me. It is Jesus and JESUS ALONE!”
Grace leaves NO room for me to withhold grace from others!
Matthew 6: 14-15
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Do I remember that God gave me mercy, forgiveness, salvation, grace and still withhold it from others?
Grace, love and mercy does not work that way! Love of God flows and overflows! It goes out towards others. If I try to hoard it, it sours! It has turned into something else. The grace of God leaves NO room for me to withhold grace for others. Think through your relationships with family members and friends. how often do you show kindness, compassion, patience, grace to others when they don’t deserve it? Do you fly off in anger or impatience?
How will you fall?
What will you do with the experience?
Will you fall on you face or on your knees?
What will you do with grace?
Written from notes taken 11Apr21 Sermon entitled Tripping over Grace, Pastor Kevin Slemp (Berea Baptist Church, Berea KY)
Photo Credit: Evi Odioko
