GRACE WINSExemplo

We’ve all met them: the person who just seems so utterly alive in their faith, with fresh faith and passion, who is on fire for God and alive in Christ! The person who is so positive and enthusiastic that you wonder what’s wrong with them? I have found when I dive deeper into people’s stories, I discover that it’s the ones who have gone through the depth of their own sin and inadequacy and been pulled out from the very claws of death—these are the people who are so aware of how far they’ve fallen short of the glory of God. And it’s those people who have experienced firsthand the extravagant, endless forgiveness of Jesus. It’s those people who realize, truly, how sinful they were and from what depths Jesus has delivered them. It’s those who are most awe-struck by the love that Jesus extends. 

In this passage Jesus tells a story that expresses the power and depth of His grace. Grace is not limited in its effect, and it is not only able to transform certain people or overcome certain sins, only. Grace is potent and powerful to overcome any sin—and it is at its most powerful in our weakest moments, when we have to be in full reliance on grace. That’s when God’s power is most perfect. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” Grace is the most powerful force at work on the earth, and it’s a power that increases where there is weakness. 

Jesus is saying that it is not the one who has sinned the least who is most thankful, but the one who has sinned and fallen short the most. He is telling us not to despise sinners and not to judge someone for their past, because it’s that very person who could become the most full of thankfulness and encounter a deep revelation of the Father’s love. 

Acts 22 is a passage of scripture where the apostle Paul shares his backstory. Paul (previously known as Saul) would murder Christians, and his mission was to destroy the early church. But then he encountered God and became the most zealous Christian leader on earth. He knew what he had done and therefore knew how extravagantly deep and strong the redeeming power of God is. The battle grace won over his life was not a schoolyard fist fight, it was a full-fledged war. He knew the power such a victory required. He believed completely that grace truly won, and his only response was to live his life with a fervent, zealous thankfulness to God.

- Georgie Kelsey