thoughts for the weekend - why is grace so hard to accept?

I have not done a “thoughts for the weekend” in a while, sometimes we need a reminder J

My wonderful husband is in a year long class at church that requires reading and homework (in addition to his college classes!)

Recently, he had to write and deliver a sermon for the group.  He read it to me first, and I was so moved, I asked for permission to put it on my blog, which he granted.

It is a little longer read (it is a sermon) but I hope that you all are able to take something away from it.  Thank you my love, for letting me share this.

Why is Grace so hard to accept?

I could not, would not, on a boat.
I will not, will not, with a goat.
I will not eat them in the rain.
I will not eat them on a train.
Not in the dark! Not in a tree!
Not in a car! You let me be!
I do not like them in a box.
I do not like them with a fox.
I will not eat them in a house.
I do not like them with a mouse.
I do not like them here or there.
I do not like them anywhere!

I do not like
Green eggs
And ham!

I do not like them,
Sam-I-am.

How many of us were or still are like the character in Green Eggs and Ham, we’ve never tried it, there isn’t a circumstance that would cause us to want it, we know nothing about it, and because of that we want nothing to do with it.  Just like getting the character in Green Eggs and Ham to try them, why is it so hard for some Christ followers to accept grace as a free gift, and everything it offers.

Ephesians 2:8  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.

Michelle Mayer put it well when she said “We want to earn it, or at least feel as though “we’ve done enough” to get ourselves over the minimum number of good deeds on God’s chart that tracks those who are worthy enough to enter an eternity of life with Him. “

It’s a free gift, free, we didn’t pay for it, we really didn’t earn it, it’s just given to us.  I don’t remember where I heard it, it may have been a sermon at Church or a different study, it may have been a book I read, but it was said that by not accepting Christ’s grace, it was like an unopened Christmas gift, it’s been given to you, but what good is a box sitting in the corner with wrapping paper on it.  It’s still been given, it just hasn’t been accepted.

First, People want to measure how well they are doing.  I think in reality people want to do the right thing, but they also want to know they are the ones doing it, our last study we talked about Holiness.  I had a lot of questions reading that book.  It felt very legalistic, almost like we needed to accept the Old Testament laws to be saved.  Grace saves us from the law, not that the law needs to be ignored as we studied in our previous book, but that we can make mistakes and the grace is still there.  The Old Testament Laws give people a counter, a ruler, something to measure how they are doing.  Woo hoo, I only broke 3 commandments today, but I followed 7.  Maybe tomorrow I can go for 2 of 8.  I don’t want to diminish the law, but as humans we are imperfect, and because of that there is no way we can follow laws perfectly.  Thank you for the gift of grace.

Romans 6:14  For sin shall no longer be your master, because you not under the law but under grace.

Secondly, we feel the need to compare ourselves to others.  I think the What Would Jesus Do movement has slowed down a bit.  It’s still used occasionally, but it has been overused and beaten down so much that there may be a fear to utter those words, the retribution can be harsh.  More recently I have heard “Just because your sin is different than mine doesn’t make you better”.  Wow, if that actually inspired a little inner searching, it may do some good.  But I think statements like that are used to compare ourselves to others, once again going back to the law, I may have visited some adult websites today, but I don’t cheat on my taxes like my neighbor to the left, and I don’t abuse my kids like my neighbor to the right.  The gift of grace is free to everyone, equally, there is no way to say Kevin got a better box of grace than I did, or that my gift of grace cost more than Jane’s.  It’s same for everyone one, equal for all.

Acts 15:11 We believe and are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.

Revelation 22:21 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with everyone.

Third, We resist change.  If I accept this how will my life change.  Will I lose friends?  Will my family see a change in me?  Do I have to change my life and how much?  Unfortunately,  I feel all of those may happen, and honestly those may be either positive or negative depending on the beliefs of your peers and family members.  Life may be in turmoil for a bit as with all change.  Those fears I believe are very short lived.  I think the habits of a person filled with grace will be better, temptation is still there but in many cases, we may be better equipped to handle it.  I also feel that a grace fill life can be contagious to others, as they see God working through you, they will be more ready to accept God’s grace as well.

2 Timothy 2:1 As for you, my son, be strong through the grace that is ours in union with Christ Jesus

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

Fourth, Free can be a four letter word. It doesn’t always inspire confidence, sometimes you don’t want to hear it.  One of those words, that usually isn’t what it means.   I, on many occasions have said that “Free is my favorite 4 letter F word”  But,  how many free gifts are really all they are cracked up to be.  How many are actually free.  First month free, buy one get one free, free just pay shipping and handling.  Of course, you have to sign up for the 12 month contract, buy the first overpriced item and shipping and handling cost more than that actual item.  On the other side of the coin, there is no such thing as a free lunch, you pay for quality.  It’s free how good could it be?  Bear in mind this was paid for just not by us.

Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

Cue Chris Pratt video <this is the awards ceremony speech I referenced in my blog on June 29^th , here it is again>

Chris Pratt, an actor best known for his role on a sitcom, was the recipient of the Generation Award at the MTV Movie & TV Awards

His acceptance speech, given on national television was absolutely amazing.

"I'm going to cut to the chase and I am going to speak to you, the next generation," Pratt said. "I accept the responsibility as your elder. So, listen up."

He followed that with what he called 9 rules for living.

Some of them were a little silly, but please note rules 2, 6, 8 and 9.

1. "Breathe. If you don't, you will suffocate."

2. "You have a soul. Be careful with it."

3. "Don't be a turd. If you are strong, be a protector. If you are smart, be a humble influencer. Strength and intelligence can be weapons, so do not wield them against the weak. That makes you a bully. Be bigger than that."

4. "When giving a dog medicine, put the medicine in a little piece of hamburger and they won't even know they're eating medicine."

5. "It doesn't matter what it is. Earn it. A good deed. Reach out to someone in pain. Be of service. It feels good and it's good for your soul."

6. "God is real. God loves you, God wants the best for you. Believe that, I do."

7. "If you have to poop at a party, but you're embarrassed because you're going to stink up the bathroom, just do what I do. Lock the door, sit down, get all of the pee out first. And then, once all the pee is done, poop, flush, boom! You minimize the amount of time that the poop's touching the air. Because if you poop first, it takes you longer to pee and then you're peeing on top of it, stirring up the poop particles, create a cloud, goes out, then everyone at the party will know that you pooped. Just trust me, it's science."

8. "Learn to pray. It's easy, and it is so good for your soul."

9. "Nobody is perfect. People will tell you that you are perfect just the way that you are, you are not! You are imperfect. You always will be, but there is a powerful force that designed you that way, and if you are willing to accept that, you will have grace. And grace is a gift. Like the freedom that we enjoy in this country, that grace was paid for with somebody else's blood. Do not forget that. Don't take that for granted."

If you haven’t seen it. The movie MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN is based on the incredible true story of the Beam family. When Christy discovers her 10-year-old daughter Anna has a rare, incurable disease, she becomes a ferocious advocate for her daughter's healing as she searches for a solution. After Anna has a freak accident, an extraordinary miracle unfolds in the wake of her dramatic rescue that leaves medical specialists mystified, her family restored and their community inspired.

If you don’t want to hear the end cover your ears now but there are 2 quotes near the end of the movie.

One of the Doctors says - Other than the possibility of a slight concussion, your daughter has no broken bones, complete movement of all her limbs. There's no internal bleeding, no indication of bruising. In fact, after hitting the ground skull first with dirt packed to the top of her head, she regained consciousness, woke up with a smile on her face. Oh, my God. Quite frankly, I've been a doctor for 25 years. Never seen anything like it.

Anna’s Mom says - So you're telling me that when this baby girl fell 30 feet, she hit her head just right and it didn't kill her and it didn't paralyze her. It healed her.

I don’t know if that is what was actually said, but if that isn’t God’s grace I don’t know what is.

We aren’t all going to see miracles like this.  But I think if you follow some of Chris Pratt’s advice.  First Breathe, take a moment and get your heart, mind and soul in the right place.  Second, pray, have that time with God, let him fill you with his grace.  Take a moment look around, see the miracles around you, let people see God’s grace in you, and look for God’s grace in others.  Take that moment and see God’s grace all around you.

You do not like them.
So you say.
Try them! Try them!
And you may.
Try them and you may I say.

Sam!
If you will let me be,
I will try them.
You will see.

Say!
I like green eggs and ham!
I do! I like them, Sam-I-am!
And I would eat them in a boat!
And I would eat them with a goat...
And I will eat them in the rain.
And in the dark. And on a train.
And in a car. And in a tree.
They are so good so good you see!

So I will eat them in a box.
And I will eat them with a fox.
And I will eat them in a house.
And I will eat them with a mouse.
And I will eat them here and there.
Say! I will eat them anywhere!

I do so like
Green eggs and ham!
Thank you!
Thank you,
Sam-I-am