Comments on: Has Grace Made Me Gracious?

By: Ron

Ron — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 07:29:10 +0000

There is part of me that is genuinely amazed and thankful at the vast quantity of grace that God has shown me thus far in my screwed up existence. But there is this other, twisted part that sees God’s grace as weakness — something I can take advantage of or exploit for my own advantage or use as a loophole for sin.
I don’t know if any of you can relate to this, but I really am horrified at this thing inside me that receives grace with contempt — and I wish there was some way to kill it once and for all.

By: Christopher Lake

Christopher Lake — Wed, 27 May 2009 21:23:56 +0000

That I *don’t* remember (and apply) the fact that I, as a sinner, deserve Hell and have been shown grace, only proves what a great sinner I am… and what an even greater Savior Christ is! Good thoughts to have before coming to the Lord’s Table tonight with my church community!

By: Christopher Lake

Christopher Lake — Wed, 27 May 2009 21:16:39 +0000

Scott (1st comment),

I know your struggle, brother. I am in a similar place. I am almost 36 years old, living with a physical disability (since birth), unable to drive a car, struggling to find work, and single.

I daily have to remind myself that my “fair share,” as a sinner, is Hell. Anything better than Hell is mercy and grace from the God who is the Source of grace. That is not always easy to remember though– at least not for me.

By: political jules

political jules — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:34:55 +0000

Loved the post. I struggle with it too. I have the tendancy to wallow in selfish pity when bad things happen, and have been known to cry, “ENOUGH” up to God with my fist in the air. Something that helped me recently is to remember two things:

1. Never pray for an easy life.
2. Pray for the strength to endure a hard one.

When my daughter was born with Down’s syndrome and cystic fibrosis, I spent allot of angry energy toward God and even myself. Mistakenly thinking that this beautiful soul was some sort of punishment for my failures. Fortunately, that was five years ago, and Phoebe is now the sparkling light of my life.

I have come to understand that she was my gift from God. A very special gift of love sent to teach me the purity of God’s love. I will be forever humbled by her depth and intelligence to point me back toward the grace of God.

By: Larry Geiger

Larry Geiger — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:37:26 +0000

Amen.

By: Memphis Aggie

Memphis Aggie — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:39:48 +0000

Short a couple of “the”s in the above comment – sorry.

By: Memphis Aggie

Memphis Aggie — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:34:15 +0000

“I’m not sure that God’s grace is ever understandable.”

It so happens that today is sixth day of Holy Spirit Novena in anticipation of Pentecost where we pray for the “Gift of Understanding”. I think understanding has to be a gift.

By: Memphis Aggie

Memphis Aggie — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:28:14 +0000

Awesome post

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:25:16 +0000

Thank you, Michael. And the comments are heart-rending. Have mercy on your people, Lord.

By: Fr. Ernesto

Fr. Ernesto — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:53:58 +0000

I thought of several responses. But then I realized that I do not understand grace. I have not understood grace. And, I probably will not understand grace anytime in the near future.

And, yet, somehow, God’s Holy Spirit often uses each and every one of us as ministers of His grace in spite of ourselves and our many sins.

Nope, I don’t understand it. But, I sure am glad to be one of the many recipient’s of God’s grace.