The Unmerited Favor of God
As we journey through life, we often find ourselves at the intersection of justice and mercy. It’s a crossroads where our actions meet the consequences of those actions. I recently found myself at such a juncture, and it was a poignant reminder of the power of grace.
A Chance Encounter
After a long drive, I was just a couple of miles from home, and the exit from the Interstate looked like a welcome respite. As I approached the intersection, the green arrow turned orange, and I continued, thinking it would stay on longer. But no, it was a short orange and a quick red. I rolled through the red, knowing I should have stopped. The siren and red and blue lights that followed confirmed my mistake. I pulled into a parking lot, safely off the highway, and was greeted by a friendly officer.
A Lesson in Mercy
I admitted to my mistake and apologized. While the officer checked my driving record, I searched for my registration. In a few moments, he returned and said he saw that I had a good driving record and was not going to give me a ticket. I thanked him, and we parted company. As I drove away, I thought about the undeserved favor I had just received. I deserved a ticket, but he showed me mercy.
The Difference Between Justice, Mercy, and Grace
Justice is getting what you deserve. Mercy is not getting what you deserve. And grace is getting what you don’t deserve. I was in the wrong, and I deserved punishment. But the officer’s act of mercy spared me from the consequences of my actions. This experience reminded me of our relationship with Christ. No matter how good we’ve lived, we’re all sinners and deserve punishment. But God intervened, sending His Son to save us from the punishment we deserve.
Saved by Faith and Grace
We’re saved by our faith and His grace, not by our works. As Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.” We’re God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
A Hymn of Praise
Fanny Crosby’s hymn “Saved by Grace” beautifully captures the essence of God’s unmerited favor: “Someday the silver cord will break, and I no more as now shall sing; but oh, the joy when I shall wake within the palace of the King! And I shall see Him face to face, and tell the story–Saved by grace.”
Leave a Reply