Wonder of GraceSample

What is Grace?

Grace is hard to define, so in Luke 15:11-32, Jesus tells a story about two brothers to illustrate it.

The younger brother asked for his inheritance before his father had died. He went off and blew the lot, living a corrupt life. He hit rock bottom and returned home, hoping his father might offer him a paid job if he accepted him back.

Full of shame, he trudged home. His father had been looking out for him. Gathering up his robes, he ran to embrace his son. He gave him a ring, a robe, and sandals, clearly signifying that there was no way he would have him work as a paid servant. Despite all his serious mistakes, his father restored him as a son with all the authority, riches, and rights that went with that.

This is Grace. No matter what we have done, God still loves us and is eager to receive us back into right standing with Him when we choose to return home.

There is another son in this story, the older brother who diligently "slaved away" for his father while his brother was having fun. He was furious that the father forgave and restored his brother. It seemed so unfair.

He couldn’t get his head around Grace. He was trying to earn his father's love by obeying him and working hard, but that was totally unnecessary. His father loved him anyway.

This brother shows us how we can do all the "right" things for all the wrong reasons. Are there ways you try to earn your Heavenly Father’s Love or try to feel better about yourself by what you do for Him?

These brothers both teach us an astonishing wonder of Grace: there is nothing we can do to make God love us any more or any less. His Love depends not on what we do but on who He is. As 1 John 4:8 says, God is Love.

Reflect and Respond

Which brother do you relate to more? Why?

Pray

Take some time with God and "receive" the truth that you are now a child of God who is freely loved. Then choose to serve Him out of that Love and not because you are trying to become who you already are or earn what you already have.