Monday, October 14, 2019
674 - 'Grace Guy'
Spirituality Column #674
October 15, 2019
Common Christianity / Uncommon Commentary
‘Grace Guy’
By Bob Walters
“My yoke is easy and
my burden is light.” – Jesus, Matthew 11:30
My friend Glen approached me before church last Sunday – as
always with a smile – and mentioned he’d
been reading my weekly columns for “a while now.”
Glen is a trained chaplain (hospitals, etc.), is an astute
Bible guy, helps out in seemingly every ministry in our church, and it’s
encouraging to know he takes the time to read my weekly heartfelt but
un-trained offerings.
Still smiling, he added, “… I think I’ve figured out that
you’re a grace guy.”
A “grace guy.” I
liked that. But then looking at the
expression on his face more closely, I felt compelled to inquire,
lightheartedly, “Is that OK?”
“Um, yeah!” he responded, still smiling but with a moment’s
hesitation.
Noticing the pause and myself not being one to miss a sardonic
opportunity, I asked, “Do you prefer punishment?” He laughed and said, “No! … Well …
maybe.”
I responded, with a wink. “Well, it does help to control the
flock.” Then it was time to go into the
service and that conversation was over.
But it got me to thinking …
The Apostle Paul wrote 13 books of the New Testament and in
every one he offers the greeting, “Grace and Peace.” Jesus, in the Gospels, is constantly telling
us He is the truth, the way to God, the life of God, and in so many words, the
face of God. Jesus came to help, not to
harm; yes, to set us free from our sin but mysteriously to “enslave” us in His
own goodness, protection, and love.
Punishment? No.
It is beyond weird that a “slave” in this life who finds
Jesus is set free (think of worldly sinners), and a free person who finds Jesus
becomes a slave (think of Paul). And I’m
not talking about the slave trade; I’m talking about humanity’s spiritual
tendency to bind itself to evil because of fear, guilt, greed, pride, and
self-righteousness, with a perpetual sense of inadequacy or debt when it comes
to an encounter with goodness.
Jesus, you see, is goodness.
Jesus knows what is best for us.
Jesus, Son of God who is also God – another mystery – models God’s plan
of self-sacrificial love that defeats evil.
Jesus is our only “way” out. He
is the “truth” we can trust. He is the
“life” we can live in freedom now and in God’s eternity forever. Jesus didn’t “trade” His life for ours; He
showed us perfect love and obedience.
His lesson isn’t what we “owe” for our sins; His lesson is what we must
do, how we must love, and how we must obey.
My life goes sour when debts overwhelm me. I know what it is to be bankrupt. The parables of Jesus not only teach us about
the Kingdom of Heaven but they also instruct us in the impossibility of
repaying divine gifts. Think of the overwhelming
amounts in the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35). The lesson is not the enormous amount; the
lesson is the enormous mercy – and justice – of the master.
Praise God for the enormous mercy of our master, Jesus. Praise God that what Jesus desires is not
repayment or guilt, but that He blesses our faith in Him and our love, mercy,
and compassion for others. Guilt never
builds a loving relationship.
In Matthew 11, quoted above, Jesus invites the weary to rest
in Him. His well-fitting yoke helps us
work together easily and productively. His demands are worthy and
uncomplicated: “Follow me.” The greater
we trust, the greater we love. Grace abounds.
I would not trade that love – or grace – for anything.
Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) is thankful, not burdened, by Jesus. It is the world that is a burden, and the
world that demands repayment. Grace is divine.