Trillseeker

The anchor on Good Morning America used a word that is seldom heard on secular programming; “grace.” This was not a reference to George Burns’ wife or the late Princess of Monaco (look them up, young people), but concerned baseball. Grace showed up on the front page of today’s St. Petersburg Times as the editor referred to the “remarkable grace” demonstrated by two men.

Over and over reporters and commentators have made reference to the gracious response of Detroit pitcher Armando Galarraga who was denied a perfect game by a bad call. They also have marveled at the prompt and sincere apology of umpire Jim Joyce. Grace seemed to be the only thing that could overrule an ugly situation.

The Greek root word (charis) translated grace is used in a variety of applications throughout Scripture. However, at the core of our understanding is the grace that an eternal God has shown to sinful men. We deserved punishment, but God in his infinite love offered His own Son as our sacrifice. The apostle Paul reminds us that “God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).” Ephes. 2:4-5

Based on this foundation of God’s forgiving mercy, believers are called to demonstrate grace to a world that needs it, but rarely experiences it. This story from Major League Baseball emphasizes that point. Everyone is celebrating the response of two men. Basically, one apologized and the other accepted and offered forgiveness. These are fairly simple acts that, in reality, are rarely practiced. We have come to expect caustic outbursts and the threat of lawsuits. It is not hard to imagine that if Christians genuinely lived as we are instructed, then the world would sit up and take notice. If this much attention is paid to a simple display of forgiveness, what would happen if believers regularly acted in kindness and forgiveness toward others? What would be said about us if we always seasoned our speech with grace? When we reflect the grace that has been poured out on us, it will provide innumerable opportunities to introduce people to our Savior.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephes. 4:32

At a men’s Bible study that I attend, the leader often speaks of “unpacking” a particular passage of Scripture. He is talking about doing more than just reading it. Even more than just commenting on it. He understands that in order to truly use Scripture we must deal with it thoroughly. And so our group digs in to study the truth we read and find ways to apply it to our lives.

Perhaps you have shared the following experience after a trip out of town. You return home tired from travel, walk into your home, and set down your bags. For many of us, the first thing we want to do is clean up and sleep in our own beds. The last thing we want to do is deal with our luggage. That’s a task for a new day…or the next. If that next day turns into a few more, it could spell trouble. Soon you look into the closet for a particular suit, only to find that it has “disappeared.” It’s still yours, but it’s not available to be used until it is unpacked.

Perhaps that’s similar to our Bible. We own one (or more) and know that it is the most valuable tool for our lives. Yet it often sits unused on the shelf. When we need it the most, it seems inaccessible to us. Surely, God has something to say about our particular situation. However, because of neglect, we’re not quite sure what it is. How should we “unpack” the Scriptures?

– Consider it (Psa. 119:95)
– Delight in it (Psa. 1:2)
– Heed it (Psa. 119:9)
– Meditate on it (Psa. 119:97)
– Keep it (Psa. 119:167)
– Memorize it (Psa. 119:11)
– Love it (Psa. 119:97)
– Speak it (Psa. 119:172)

The psalmist’s list goes on and on. The apostle Paul reminds Timothy that the study of God’s Word would prepare him for the demands of this life.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim. 2:15

When we thoroughly study the Word of God, we know what He says about our circumstances. When we commit it to memory, we make Scripture accessible in our daily lives. With His Word we are prepared to face both opportunity and temptation…blessing and difficulty…peaceful days and storms. All of our decisions and actions will be affected by our interaction – or lack of it – with the Scriptures.

If your Bible has rested on a shelf too long (with only an occasional Sunday trip to church), “unpack” a verse today.

Rituals with no substance. Liars in the pulpit. Loved ones lost forever. A meaningless faith. No forgiveness, No salvation. No hope – temporal or eternal. This is the grim picture that the Apostle Paul paints in 1 Corinthians 15 if there is no resurrection from the dead. In fact, there would be no reason to meet this Sunday, or any other, if we did not have a risen Savior.

In his work, “A Free Man’s Worship”, noted atheist Bertrand Russell gave a glimpse of life and death through the eyes of one who rejects the biblical record. He wrote, “The life of Man is a long march through the night, surrounded by invisible foes, tortured by weariness and pain, towards a goal that few can hope to reach, and where none may tarry long. One by one, as they march, our comrades vanish from our sight, seized by the silent orders of omnipotent Death.”

However, the Word of God boldly declares, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept” 1 Cor. 15:20. The Lord conquered sin, death, and hell in His glorious, bodily resurrection from the dead. Our message is powerful. Our sins can be forgiven. Our eternity is secure. Our faith is sure.

Many that live all around us are discouraged and frustrated. They are grasping for anything that promises to provide a glimmer of hope, even if it is just temporary. As believers, we have a life-changing message of genuine hope in Jesus Christ. May we be diligent and generous in sharing our hope with those that are lost.