Uncommen: Freely GivenSample

Grace

God offers us an unlimited amount of transforming grace. First, we must demonstrate that grace is given unto others. If Jesus were handing out invitations, it would undoubtedly include coming as you are as He meets everyone where they are. Not one mention of getting the affairs together before becoming friends. Grace is acceptance. Grace is a gift given to be shared. The Lexham Bible Dictionary defines grace as:

Grace (chesed; “grace, mercy, steadfast love, compassion,” Chen; “grace, graciousness, kindness,” charis; “grace, favor, graciousness, goodwill”). Gracious or merciful behavior of a more powerful person toward another. It is displayed by the Lord towards humankind and people towards each other in the Old Testament.

Grace is the one thing that separates Christianity from all other religions. Sadly, when we exclude “the other” from our communities, we become just as sinful as the Pharisees. Dietrich Bonhoeffer expresses, “cheap grace means the justification of sin, without the sinner’s justification.” Too often, it becomes easy to enjoy the consolations of Christ’s gift of grace yet not follow Him in obedience. Bonhoeffer claims grace is costly because we must follow Christ, and that gift cost Jesus His life. If we are to submit to the yoke of Christ, there is a cost. We are to love each other as Christ loves us. “This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us his Spirit.” (1 John 4:13). Costly grace is an all-in call to love. Love extends to those in our communities that do not look like ourselves. Just as we can open the door to Jesus, it is time to open the door to the sojourner, the refugee, and the immigrant. The table is where we find grace extended to begin learning about “the other.”

Food and grace as a mission

Meals require no special training or education to prepare. Meals may seem ordinary; however, the ordinary is where everyone tends to live. God does extraordinary things with ordinary people. Knowledge of cooking is helpful but unnecessary, nor is it a seminary degree. Just a zeal for Jesus creates impactful gospel opportunities. Luke 14:1-24 becomes the inspiration for food as a mission.

Uncommen Questions:

Have you ever received unmerited grace when you didn’t deserve it?

Have you ever given grace to someone who needed it?

Uncommen Challenge:

Meditate on how difficult it is to love someone who has hurt you and give them grace as you have received from God.