Between Mercy and Grace

Reflections
March 29, 2009

Theological volumes have been written about the concept of grace. From Martin Luther to Karl Barth, great Biblical minds have dissected the term and constructed detailed explanations of its importance to thinking persons of faith. Whether seen as an unmerited gift from God or a saving act of love through Christ, the personal experience of grace is difficult for most of us to get our minds around. Some of our best clues come to us from scripture. I remember the late Dr. Dominic Tamietti, a beloved pastor of this annual conference, offering his definition of grace. Explaining he had been a successful salesman earlier in life he said, “Grace is the best deal you are ever going to get.”

The Psalms are filled with a God of grace who preserves, protects and sustains. Even the prophets while calling for accountable faith remain rooted in the understanding that God's loving-kindness is the source of life. The gospels tell and retell the grace-filled story of the life and ministry of Jesus. In his writings the apostle Paul is strong in emphasizing grace over judgment.

In his letter to the Romans Paul writes, “For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by God’s grace as a gift.” 3:24. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul reminds the people of God’s work in their lives. “But God, who is rich in mercy; out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ...by grace you have been saved...” 2: 4-5

The pretext promise and print of our faith is that of grace. For God creates in loving-kindness, the promise of Jesus is forgiveness not fear, and our Holy Book speaks more of love than legalism. So why are we in the faith community so quick to judge, so rude and rule bound in matters of belief? In large measure we judge simply because judgment is much easier than grace. To be a person of judgment all we need are the facts and our own formed opinions. To be a person of grace would require putting on the mind of Christ and changing our hearts from earth bound things to heavenly things.

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, developed the concept of prevenient grace, which simply stated says the love of God through Christ is at work in us even when we are not aware of it. Which means even when we are at our very worst, God’s love is aiming for the best in us. That is what I call a deal.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601