Move That Bus!

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”- Ephesians 2:8-9

One of the greatest spiritual mysteries is grace. Unmerited favor. Unconditional love. Unbelievable freedom. Grace not only sets the captive free but bestows bountiful blessing as well. It's finishing last on Survivor and still getting a million bucks. It's a homeless person who's adopted by Bill Gates. It's a "move that bus" extreme life makeover.

Grace doesn’t make sense. To those who seek justice, grace wildly pardons. To those who want their rights, grace freely gives. To those who hunger for revenge, grace incredibly forgets. To those who rely upon their own goodness, grace simply forgives. To those who boast in their accomplishments, grace lovingly humbles. Grace is a beautiful thing. Grace mystifies. Grace sanctifies. Grace qualifies.

Paul reminds us that grace also saves us through our faith in Jesus Christ. Grace is what makes Christianity unique. Every religion, ideology or philosophy that relies upon good works to build karma, curry Divine favor or live better in the afterlife is counterfeit to true Christianity. Grace is the fuel that moves our Faith when other religious systems stall.

That’s why it’s a gift. You can't earn it. You can’t buy it. You can’t steal it. It's an Extreme Life Makeover that changes everything. By some wonderful chance you are chosen for blessing. You are freed from a rat-infested, run-down shack and awarded keys to a multi-room million dollar mansion. And in that moment of grace, when gift and goodness collide, you are released. Grace makes everything new. Grace opens eyes, hearts and tombs. Grace bubbles for both power-broker and prisoner, sage and slave, royalty and renegade.

Ah, grace. Amazing grace. Truly, how sweet the sound. Move that bus and welcome home!


NOTABLE QUOTABLES ON GRACE:

That is the mystery of grace: it never comes too late. --François Mauriac

The growth of grace is like the polishing of metals. There is first an opaque surface; by and by you see a spark darting out, then a strong light; till at length it sends back a perfect image of the sun that shines upon it. --Edward Payson

Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live." The law tells me how crooked I am. Grace comes along and straightens me out. --Dwight Lyman Moody

To be able to live peaceably with hard and perverse persons, or with the disorderly, or with such as go contrary to us, is a great grace. --Thomas À Kempis

Father, it is so hard to wrap our minds around Your Grace. We can understand your Goodness. We can agree with Your Justice. We can respect Your Protection. It’s just difficult to learn, love and live this Amazing Grace. So today, give us fresh hearts to forgive, forget and forge a path that flows blood red with Grace. Thank You Jesus for opening the Gate of Grace. Immerse us in the flow. Amen.