Unwrapping Graceনমুনা

Rich Grace Lavished on Us In [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. - Ephesians 1:7-8 Several years ago, a couple invited my wife, Linda, and me to join them for an educational conference in an idyllic resort town. They made it very clear that we were to be their guests. I expect they knew this sort of trip was far beyond our means and they wanted it to be special for us. At first, Linda and I felt awkward accepting their offer, even though we sensed the genuineness with which it had been extended. As we talked it through, it seemed that our friends really did want us to come along and we were excited to join them. So, we accepted their offer. They paid for our travel, lodging, conference fee, and all of our meals. Honestly, it felt odd receiving such generosity. I had not experienced anything like that since I was a child, financially dependent on my parents. Yet it also felt wonderful to be treated so well. We did not deserve such treatment, mind you, but it was utterly delightful. It was also a demonstration of grace, extraordinarily generous grace. I remember this experience when I read Ephesians 1:7-8. There, it says that we have redemption and forgiveness through Christ’s death, “in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.” We have already learned from Ephesians that God’s grace is glorious (1:6). Now we see that it is also rich and abundant. It’s not as if God has some little stockpile of grace that he doles out stingily. On the contrary, God’s pile is huge and he doesn’t give it away in tiny portions. Rather, God lavishes his grace on us. The Greek verb translated here as “to lavish” literally means “to cause to abound” or “to do something in great measure.” So, God’s grace is both rich and lavishly given through Jesus Christ, through his “blood” that purchases “the forgiveness of sins” (1:7). Do you think of God’s grace in this way? Do you experience God as a lavish giver? Perhaps you do. If so that’s wonderful. But many of us, often including those of us who have been Christians for a long time, tend in practice to minimize God’s grace and to project on him a stinginess that reflects our own limitations instead of God’s revelation in Christ and in Scripture. I do this more than I care to admit, not because my theology is wrong, but because I inject my own “stuff” into my relationship with God, my tendency to fear that I will exhaust God’s grace as if it were in limited supply. When this happens, not only am I hesitant to approach God in worship, but I am also stingy in my dealings with others, withholding grace rather than sharing it lavishly. If you can relate to what I’ve just shared, I have good news for you (and me too). The more we allow God’s Word to form us and the more we reflect on the wonder of the Cross, the more we will experience God as he is and not according to our personal projections. Thus, the more we will grasp and experience the lavishness of grace. This experience comes as we reflect upon Scripture (like today’s passage) and as we pray in response to the Word. The expansive experience of God’s grace also comes in corporate worship, as we lift our voices in song, as we hear the good news proclaimed, as we celebrate God’s grace in communion, and as we enjoy the fellowship of God’s family. Personal Questions: As you think about your life, can you remember times when people were lavish in their gifts to you? How did this feel? Have there been times when God lavished his grace upon you? Why does the verb “lavish” describe what happened to you? Would you like God to lavish his grace in certain areas of your life today? Are you willing to ask for such a gift? Questions Relevant to Your Worship Leadership: How does the worship you lead reflect the lavishness of God’s grace in Christ? How might you help the people entrusted to your care to grow in their knowledge and experience of the riches of God’s grace? What would it mean for your people to continue to experience God’s lavish grace as they live in the world, offering their whole lives to God as worship? Prayer: Gracious God, yes, Gracious God, I begin this prayer by confessing my tendency to limit your grace. Though I believe your grace is rich and that it is lavished on me through Christ, nevertheless, I find it natural to live as if your grace were doled out in small portions. Forgive me, Lord, for limiting you in this way, for ignoring the lavishness of your gift of grace. Not only is your grace rich beyond measure, but it is also rich as given to me. You give lavishly, generously, in great measure. You forgive my sins, all of my sins, through Christ’s sacrifice. You reach out to me when I wander away. You are patient and kind. Even your discipline is meant for my redemption. Everything about you is filled with grace. How I praise you! May I live today, and each day, as one who has been saved and transformed by your grace. Help me to share this grace with others, to give as you have given to me. And may the worship I lead help others to experience your grace so they might give it away as well. To you be all the glory! Amen .