Articles
Accustomed To Grace
I heard a sermon illustration by R.C. Sproul the other day that I thought I would share it with you.
A college professor stood in front of a class of 250 freshmen students at the beginning of the year and laid out his clear expectations. He told them how many tests and quizzes they could expect. He also told them that they would have three term papers that semester. The first paper would be due September 30th, the second October 30th, and the last one on November 30th. He also made it clear to the freshmen that these papers would not be accepted late.
September 30th rolled around and 225 students arrived with their term papers. That left 25 terrified, empty-handed freshmen huddled in the back of the room. They pled for mercy with varied excuses. They begged for just a little more time, so the professor had compassion and gave them an extra three days to finish their work. His mercy came with a warning: Do not let it happen again.
October 30th rolled around. This time 200 students came with their work in hand as instructed, but this left 50 without their assignment. “Please. Professor. We ran out of time and didn’t finish. We’ve been studying for midterms. Please allow us just a few more days! Please don’t flunk us!” Again, the professor considered the situation and granted another three days to complete the paper. This came as a surprise to the students who had completed their work on time on both occasions, but the professor was loved for his patience and understanding.
You can probably guess what happened on November 30th. The final term paper was due, but only 100 students were ready to turn in their work. More than half of the class came unprepared. The professor, clearly disappointed, asked one of the unprepared freshmen, “Where is your paper?”. “I’ll have it for you in a few days.”, he responded, casually. “You don’t have your paper? That’s an F.” The student was in shock…other unprepared students in the room began to look at each other, fearing the same fate. The professor asked another student, “Where is you paper?” “I don’t have it, sir.” “That’s an F”. At this point the professor heard someone yell from the back of the room, “That’s not fair!”. “Was that you, Fitzgerald? Remind me, did you turn in your October paper on time?”. Fitzgerald admitted that he had been given extra time on his previous assignment. “If it is justice you want, young man, then that’s what you will receive. Your October paper is now an F also.” The professor turned to the rest of the class and asked, “Who else wants justice?” There was silence.
The first time the students were late with their papers, they were amazed by grace. They understood that they didn’t deserve it and they didn’t expect it.
The second time, they were no longer surprised by the undeserved favor. In fact, some of them assumed it was a possibility. They must have felt that it was worth the risk.
The third time, students demanded it and believed they were entitled to this favor. They felt that they deserved it. They had confused justice and grace.
The thing that they seemed to have forgotten, something I am afraid that we are also guilty of when it comes to grace, is that by definition, grace is undeserved. It is UNMERITED favor. If God were to treat us justly outside of His grace through Christ, we would all be lost.
Too often sin is committed casually because there is an expectation of grace, and an attitude of entitlement. We trust that God will keep His word to forgive, and so we mourn our sin less, guard our hearts and minds less, watchout for and avoid temptation less. It is no small thing to make trivial something as precious and costly as the grace extended to us through Christ. Let us be mindful and thankful for Jesus by being in awe of His mercy rather than acting entitled to it.
Heb 10:26-31 - Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
