Hands, Face, Space… GRACE

‘The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ – Romans 5.20-21

From Sam Lomas:

I think many of us are having to deal with the overflow of our frustrations at the moment.  Whether the frustration you feel is as a result of lockdown 3 generally, the Government’s leadership, the church’s response, the supermarket queuing system, the runner who doesn’t distance as they pass you by or just having to work from home.  There is mounting frustration across our nation, across our borough and across our community. 

Recently, I saw this brilliant image below.  I was really challenged by it and it made me wonder what kind of a difference it would have made to our nation if the government chose to include ‘Grace’ at the end of Covid-19 safety campaign? 

Living a life of grace, although a challenge, is the duty of every Christian.  Why?  Because it is only by grace that we know Christ.  It is only by grace that we have been set free from sin.  It is only by grace that we have breath in our lungs, experience friendship, joy, peace… the list could go on.

If we truly understand God’s grace, if we truly grasp the power, significance and impact of the grace we have experienced ourselves, then living a life of grace in the midst of frustration should be what we do.  So what is this grace all about?

Well, taking the example of God’s grace shown to us, as outlined by Paul in the verses above, God’s grace is a radical, powerful gift of love in the face of messy, hurtful and outright disrespect (sin) shown in return.  God’s grace is top level, mind-blowing grace.  I love the way The Message translation puts it, ‘sin didn’t, and doesn’t, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down.’.  Grace beats sin hands down.  In the face of sin and all of its associated hurt, pain and discomfort, God chose to show grace!

So what does that mean for me when I am in the shopping queue at Lidl and someone brushes past me mask-less?  Or as I watch the news and feel frustration bubbling up in my heart and mind?  Well, I believe living a life of ‘Hands, space, face… Grace’ means showing a radical, aggressive forgiveness called grace towards people.  In the midst of frustrations, I have a choice.  Will I be bitter and let my heart succumb to the pressure of my frustration?  Or will I follow the example of our God by showing grace to those who frustrate me, even when I am hurt by their actions?  Today, why not go about your business practising a life of ‘Hands, Space, Face… GRACE.’