Amazing Grace

"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." Ephesians 2:8-9

     It is Christmas Eve Dinner and you have prepared all the fixings (turkey, stuffing, greens beans, potatoes, and more). It is just you and and your spouse, and possible children and you are not expecting anyone else, but you hear a knock at the door. When you open the door, you see a man in poor shape, he is wearing tattered clothing, has an unkept beard, and is covered in filth from head to toe. All he asks is if you could spare a plate of food. So, you go and make him a plate of food, and send him on his way.
    Most Christians would say that this was a sufficient act of kindness, but it falls short of illustrating true grace. What if the story went a little differently? Let's say that it is still Christmas Eve Dinner and still have all the fixings, and there is a knock at the door. It is the same man, in tattered clothing, still filthy and clearly in need. You notice that he has a clear trash bag thrown over his shoulder, and as you look closer, you notice that they are your presents. This man has stolen your gifts and now has the nerve to ask you if you can spare some food? Going to the kitchen and making him a plate of food and letting him be on his way illustrates true grace, giving someone the opposite of what they deserve. To God, we are all like this man.
    According to the Bible we are all sinners and fall short of God's standards. So God told Mary that His spirit had laid upon her and that she would have his son, and that she shall name is Jesus. Jesus lived a perfect life and always did what was right. He lived a life that no human possibly could. Jesus then died and shed His blood on the cross for our sins. The Bible tells us that on the cross, God treated Jesus as if He had lived our lives, so that we may be treated as if we had lived His. Jesus was dead for three days, and on the third day, He rose from the dead!
    It was once asked of Martin Luther, why he always preached the gospel of grace every Sunday, and Luther replied, "Because every week you forget it".
    I challenge you to not forget the grace of God for one minute, thank Him for the reality that because of His grace, you are now fully acceptable in his sight and forgiven completely of all past, present and future sins. THAT is amazing grace!