S A T U R D A Y Hebrews 4 v 16
Let ’ s look today at a ) Grace is so unrealistic . Jesus , in His teachings , tells many great stories and makes so many statements to illustrate the freeness of grace . Remember that Jesus was telling these stories and making these statements to people steeped in ritualism and legalism , i . e . the Pharisees and scribes had made a god of the law and this resulted in a burdensome religious experience .
One of my favourite parables that Jesus told is the one in our Bible reading this morning . He speaks of a shepherd who has one hundred sheep , but loses one of them . He says that the good shepherd will leave his remaining ninety-nine sheep in the hands of a hireling , while he searches for the lost one . This would have confused His audience because they would have known that that would have been a risky thing to do ; hirelings could not be trusted and might steal some of the sheep , and that there were wolves out there who may well have taken advantage of the absent shepherd . They in short would have thought this to be a story of “ risky economics ”. BUT , this parable was not told with economics in mind , it was told with grace in mind . For many of His listeners they would have said , “ Ag , Jesus get real ! That story is totally unrealistic !”
Sadly , for the world today ( where everything has to make sense and be logical ), grace just doesn ’ t get the time of day because it is considered to be unrealistic . But remember the verse in Isaiah where God says , “’ For my thoughts are not your thoughts , neither are your ways my ways ,’ declares the Lord .” ( Isaiah 55 v 8 ) – O ! The wonder of unrealistic grace !
Prayer Thought : Today as you pray , thank God for His unrealistic plan of salvation – don ’ t try too hard to understand it ( although it does make absolute sense ); just revel in it and be grateful .
S A T U R D A Y Hebrews 4 v 16
Today I would like to deal with part two of the Dilemma of Grace . Simply to say that grace seems so undeserving .
This has to be the most amazing dynamic of grace . To believe that my personal performance and abidance by the law does not impress God at all . After all there is no way in our wildest dreams that we could ever , humanly speaking , match God ’ s standard for holiness . God demands perfection and therefore that leaves us way short of impressing God by trying to “ be good ”. There are some amazing verses in Scripture that speak of the wonder of this underserving grace . One of my most favourite is Hebrews 4 v 16 , “ Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in times of need .” It ’ s a beautiful picture to think that God ’ s throne is called the “ Throne of Grace ”. The picture we have for us is one that we sinful human beings are able to approach at any time , knowing that we will be welcomed with open arms . Please note that it says we can approach this throne with confidence because of what Jesus has done on our behalf and not because of our