GRACE...it's not fair!

"And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace." - John 1:16

Ever been the recipient of incredible favor?  Where you are simply given something not because you earned it?  I have in so many ways and so many times... over and over like waves of the ocean crashing on a shoreline! 

God has blessed me in more ways than I could ever share and I am truly humbled.  From provisions, to protection, to promises, I see the hand of my God all the time.  From being saved from death as a baby, to being sent overseas on mission trips numerous times, to standing up on Sundays to share Jesus with people!  "Who am I for such things?", I often say to myself.

Listen, I'm not boasting in my ability, but in God's!  ("Let Him who boast, boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth..." Jer. 9:24).  I am blessed beyond belief!  Sure there are hardships, trials, & storms to face (no one is exempt from these).  They hurt and at times bring tears.  But overall I see God's GRACE in my PLACE!  Do you?

People can say, "Wait a second!  That's not fair!  You don't deserve that thing, that honor, that blessing, that promise, that salvation, etc."  And I can simply smile and say, "I know!  You're right!  I don't deserve those blessings.  It's NOT fair!... but isn't God amazing?  Isn't His grace so good!"  That's what grace does, it brings us to rejoice in God's goodness to my undeserving life!

Question to consider: When God shows favor to another (things, health, finances, family relationships, etc.) how do I respond?  Am I jealous, or full of joy for them?  Can I say, "Thank you Lord for blessing them.  Do it again!  Give more grace!  Blow them away with who You are!"  Or am I complaining and grumbling, "That's not fair, God!"  My response often shows my maturity in the LORD in understanding how grace works.

I thank God that He doesn't give me what I deserve!  That His grace covers my sin (past, present, & future).  That I can walk each day reveling in God's grace, standing in His grace, growing in His grace.  And I know that one day, this grace will lead me home! 

Not fair?  Of course!  That's what's so amazing about God's grace!

blessings,
Pastor Jesse