Garlands of Grace
Grace is traditionally defined as unmerited favor. Let me just underline unmerited and add that grace is given to the undeserving. There is nothing man can do to earn or deserve grace; it is wholly a gift from God. I believe that it is impossible to truly understand grace without a revelation of sin. “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3.23) Sin has separated us from God, completely. Man was put out of the Garden of Eden and death began to reign over him. Death is the corruption of God’s creation. It is the consequence of man’s disobedience. Man’s sin has been the cause of the evil that is on the earth. In other words, man deserves the problems he has. It is the just consequence of his sin. If we seek justice, then there is no hope. All is lost. Man’s sin has condemned him eternally.
Grace is God’s response to man’s condition. It is God’s unmerited favor given to the undeserving. In man’s destitute state, God showed mercy. Grace is given before there ever is a response of faith. While sin was still reigning over man, God sent His Son. Justice was satisfied, by the shedding of Jesus’ blood, and man was redeemed from his fallen state. All this happened before man believed. Salvation, the whole package of eternal life, healing, deliverance, blessings, etc., was given freely to undeserving mankind. Because it is a gift, one can never hold God accountable for it. We can never demand it, nor does man have any basis for jealousy in how that grace is distributed to others. As in the parable of the workers and their wages, if the one who worked one hour gets the same pay as the one who worked the whole day, that’s ok. God is not obliged to do more than He has promised. His generosity is His decision.
Faith’s response to grace is thanksgiving. One’s appreciation of the gift he has received is like having a garland on his head or a pendant around his neck. (Prov. 1.9) Jesus is full of grace and truth. He is graceful. He is beautiful. Responding to grace with open and grateful hearts, releases the sweet aroma of the Lord’s presence and His holiness and nature are visible to all. Redeemed man glows with His presence. Grace is not just for the salvation of the spirit of man, but for the transformation of his spirit, soul and body. Grace is always a gift. It is not only the beginning of our faith, but also our daily perfecting. Without grace we are nothing.
When grace is recognized in one area but not in all, it is like a cake unturned; cooked on one side and raw on the other. (Hos. 7.8) This is having the appearance of holiness in one area of life and yet sin reigning in another. Those observing this half-cooked, (or “half-grace”), life call it hypocrisy. It lacks the appearance and flavor of the person of Jesus. Jeremiah said that Moab was like this. He compared Moab to wine that had not been poured from vessel to vessel. He had settled on his dregs and his taste remained the same. (Jer. 48.11-13) In other words, grace was there, but was not received in all areas of life. Moab was content to begin well but failed to continue in grace. He left the place of humility and thanksgiving and was filled with pride. Sin, once more, reigned and the consequences were disastrous. Let us learn from the lives of graceful people, who in their humility have recognized the Lord’s work to save, sanctify, and glorify. Let is emulate those who embrace the cross and walk daily in the power of the Holy Spirit. Let grace be your garland and praise your garment.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Prov. 1.9; 4.9; Mat. 20.1-16; John 1.14; I Peter 1.13; Hos. 7.8; Jer. 48.11-13