The Grace of Christ
Romans 5:20
There may seem to be innumerable reasons why someone does not “deserve” grace. Then we remember that apart from Christ, no one is worthy. A person cannot earn healing; a person cannot earn the grace that has already been given to them. Someone may be in an embarrassing, hopeless situation and wallowing in a pit. Our first response might be an automatic solution of “you ought to…” or “change your behavior,” or “you got what you deserve.” Yet, would you be shocked to hear Jesus say, “Don’t advise them to read the Bible more, pray more or do more in the church?” To place demands on a person that God is not requiring is overwhelming and crushing.
Friends of mine, Mike and Beverley Robinson, shared a testimony about a strip-tease club owner who had become a Christian and started attending a local church. At the next church member’s meeting, the Pastor of the church told his congregation that no one was to tell the strip-tease club owner that how he earned his living was not conducive to being a Christian. This was the job of the Holy Spirit who would convict him and no one else. So the congregation did as they were told and with baited breath waited every Sunday for the business owner to make his confession.
Then one Sunday the man asked the pastor if he could share a testimony. The Pastor agreed, and when it was time to share, the man stood up and said, “I have been coming to this church for a while now and have really felt loved. I just wanted to let everyone here know that the Holy Spirit has convicted me of my wrong doing and from now on, I will no longer water down anybody’s drink when they come into my club.” He then smiled and sat down! It obviously became a learning experience for the whole church. Long story short, after several more weeks, he again gave his testimony, this time to say he had sold his club and was going into full time ministry for Jesus. He became an evangelist. We all need encounters and connection with Jesus; with His love and grace.