“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service; even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. And yet I was shown mercy, because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.”
I Timothy 1:12-14
When someone shows you grace; what is the right reaction? What is the appropriate response? If grace is a gift, then how should you respond to someone giving you a gift? If someone grants you favor, or does you a favor out of the grace of their heart; what should you demonstrate? “Gratitude”, “appreciation”, “thanksgiving” should all come to mind.
There was an epic World War II film titled “Saving Private Ryan”. If you are unfamiliar with this movie, Private Ryan’s brothers were all killed in the war and he was the only brother left alive. A group was sent to retrieve Private Ryan from behind enemy lines and return him safely home. That was their mission. As Army Captain Ranger John Miller was dying on the battlefield, having lost all of his men, but having successfully completed his mission and saving Private Ryan (as well as many others), he pulls Private Ryan close to himself as he exhorts him with his last breath, “Earn this! Earn it.”
The truth is, that was impossible. How could one man earn so many others giving up their life for him? The truth is, that was impossible. No matter how much good he did, no matter how many lives he himself saved, he could never earn what was given to him. And he knew that, just as all the movie-goers gushing with tears knew that. What we know Ranger Miller means when he says, “Earn this!” is “Honor this!” “Don’t waste/squander your life”. Show that you respect, and honor, and appreciate, and are thankful every day of your life for what you have been given, and at what cost you have been given it. Show your gratitude by how you live your life.
The apostle Paul knew he did not deserve the mercy and grace that he received from the Lord Jesus Christ. He knew the great wrong he did and that no amount of good he did could undo the wrongs. He knew he was not worthy. He knew he could not earn his salvation. He knew he could not earn his way to heaven, and yet he worked. He worked every day for the rest of his life for the Lord. He worked until he gave his last breath for the Lord. Not to earn his salvation… but out of thankfulness for his Savior who did.
We see the great responsibility that comes from grace. The responsibility to love and worship the Lord. The responsibility to show mercy and forgiveness to others. The responsibility to serve the Lord and share the gospel of saving grace. Be mindful of how God has blessed you. Be thankful every day. Show how much you appreciate that grace by how you are living your life. The fact is, you are; whether you realize it or not.
When forgiveness is given freely, unconditionally, and from the blind love of one's heart, mercy is victorious, godliness prevails, grace abounds, and that initial Love is thereby multiplied. All of which, glorifies God.
-Ryan Simmons