UNPACK This...The Greatness of God's GraceSample

Browns Sign Kareem Hunt

Running back Kareem Hunt was let go by the Kansas City Chiefs in November 2018 after a video leaked showing him shoving and kicking a woman in a hotel hallway.

However, shortly after the Chiefs released Hunt, the Cleveland Browns announced they signed him to a one-year contract. Following any league discipline, they gave him another chance to play football.

Believing that Hunt should have lost his right to play in the NFL again is understandable when considering his unacceptable behavior.

With the Browns making such a questionable decision, it’s easy to see why many wouldn’t approve of the Chiefs looking past Hunt’s transgressions and welcoming him into their franchise. However, unpacking this topic further paints a picture of what grace is all about.

Grace is simple yet complicated, and we often struggle with the concept. When we hear stories of people who have committed atrocious acts, we typically want them to receive punishment. It’s hard to think they deserve a second chance after what they’ve done.

But at the same time, we look at our mistakes and desire grace and another chance—usually using a sliding scale in our favor. We tell ourselves we’re not that bad.

Thankfully, God is filled with love and grace and doesn’t operate on a sliding scale. He is rich in mercy and offers us what we don’t deserve—second chances and forgiveness in Jesus.

Romans 3:23 reminds us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Then, when we receive Jesus as our Savior based on His work on the cross, “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

God’s Word assures us that He looks past our transgressions, cleanses us, and welcomes us into His family for eternity.

Today, let’s not forget that grace is available to all sinners—regardless of how awful our past transgressions are.

Let’s embrace being shown grace and willingly extend it to others.

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for Your grace. Please help me not to think I deserve it while others don’t. I know I’m broken and in need of a Savior. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.