Devotional - November 16th, 2020

There is a sign in my office that simply says, ‘His offer still stands’. As we move through our days it is a reminder to me of the grace God has for His people. Many of us watch the news, read the paper, or check the internet in search of news. Some days we read or hear stories of good people who have been needlessly killed. Other days we read or hear of really rotten, crummy people who have somehow managed to survive. In our human economy we ask the question why…why does the good person suffer and die and the rotten, crummy person live to see another day. The answer lies in that sign. ‘His offer still stands’.

Sometimes we receive an offer that states it is a one-time deal. You can’t pass it up or you will miss it. You have to act right now, or you will miss your one and only chance. God is not like that. ‘His offer still stands’. In God’s economy bad things do happen to good people and good things do happen to rotten, crummy people. But I believe the rotten, crummy folks live to see another day because often they do not yet know the Lord. This gives them yet another chance to meet Him. That might happen in a hospital room or a jail cell. We just do not know when and how God will work. Only that He does not want anyone to be left out or miss their chance for eternity with Him. As humans we would rather see the rotten, crummy folks be gone and the good people here. But that is not the way God works.

This is a sign of God’s grace. ‘His offer still stands’ until we take our last breath. Paul writes of God’s grace. Ephesians 1:7 tells us, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace”. The writer of Hebrews tells us the Lord sits on the throne of grace and in 2 Corinthians 12:9 Paul tells us “But He said to me, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” The weaknesses and challenges we have only serve to remind us we cannot live this life on our own. They remind us we need the Savior and His strength, power, and grace. Everything we have in this life, including this life is by the grace of God.

Grace is a marvelous gift God gives to people who have done absolutely nothing to deserve it. It is unconditional and relentless, and God just keeps on giving. It does not depend on what we do or do not do. It matters not whether or not we have served anyone. It doesn’t even matter if we have acknowledged God this day. We cannot do anything to earn anymore than we have already been given. Because God’s grace comes to us in Jesus shed blood, death, and resurrection. In Romans 5:20 Paul writes, “The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” Think about this. If God’s offer was a onetime deal, we would be out of luck, because this verse in effect says, so you sinned…there is more than enough grace to cover that. You sin again tomorrow and the next day and the next? There is still plenty of grace to cover that as well. This is the good news…no matter how hard we might try, we cannot out sin grace.

But this grace cannot be earned. How would we ever begin to pay for the horrific death of Jesus on the cross for our sins???  And if grace could be paid for or earned, then it wouldn’t be a free gift. It is hard for us to just accept this free gift. In our mindset we have to work to earn what we get. If we want nice things, we will have to work to earn them. If we want to be rich, we will have to work even harder. But when God gives grace, it is free…always. Every day people come to know the Lord. We packed 400 OCC boxes as a church family. That is 400 chances for kids, families, even entire villages to have a chance to come to know the Lord. ‘His offer still stands’.  And lest we forget, Paul reminds us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. “Even the faith we have comes from the Lord. We have nothing on our own of value. His grace is free, we only need to accept it. ‘His offer still stands’.

We are called to be stewards of God’s grace. That means we do not get to hoard it. Instead we are called to share that grace with others. Peter writes this, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”  When we use the gifts God has given us, for His glory and to benefit others we are sharing His grace.

‘His offer still stands’ is a reminder that God’s offer of grace still stands. So does His offer of mercy…and His offer of the peace that passes all human understanding…and His offer of love that He lavishes upon us freely. There are still many who do not yet know Jesus. They do not know unconditional love. They have never been treated with mercy and they do not know peace. “His offer still stands’ until we all know.

In His Grip
Pastor Matt W