A man died and went to heaven. Peter met him and said, “You need 100 points to get in. Tell me all the good things you’ve done and I will give you points for them. Once you get to 100 you’re in.”
The man starts rattling off his good deeds. Married to the same woman for 50 years, never cheated, went to church his entire life. Adopted six orphans, started a soup kitchen for disabled homeless vets, and on and on. At the end Peter tells him, “You are at five points. What else you got?”
“FIVE POINTS!?” the man said. “At this rate the only way I get into heaven is by the grace of God.”
“Come on in,” said Peter.
If this were me, I wouldn’t even have wasted Peter’s time because my good deeds pale in comparison. Grace is God’s unconditional love toward a person who does not deserve it. Mercy, not merit. Because I have accepted Christ as my Savior, God sees love for me, not my sin. I know it’s real but I cannot understand this.
Even though I do not understand it, I am overjoyed that this is an actual thing. A real thing, from a real God. Jesus plus nothing else equals everything. Receive His grace and share that grace with others. It won’t make sense at first but the more you participate, the more an understanding will come. But don’t take my word for it, try Him and see for yourself.
Heavenly Father, thank you for your unmerited grace and your mercy. Teach me how to show your people grace and mercy so that they can see you for who you are. Amen.
Go Deeper — Choose one person that is close to you and make it a point to show them grace every day for week, no matter the circumstance, and see how much God works through you.
Photo Credit: Joshua Earle