Saint Stuart
December 8, 2022

“The notion of God’s love coming to us free of charge, no strings attached seems to go against every instinct of humanity.” Phillip Yancey, What’s So Amazing About Grace?

This speaks to the works versus faith concept. While some might think that good works are necessary before God’s approval is earned, the reality is that God sees our potential before we commit any form of devotion; as He provides us with the means to experience the deep fulfillments He designed us for without even acknowledging Him, giving Him thanks and praise and even in a state of denying Him. Atheists, as well as believers who worship and acknowledge God, both, have the capacity to enjoy deeply fulfilled lives, and I am grateful to God that they can.

I’ve heard that respect shouldn’t be given until it is earned, but I’ve learned that that sort of thinking is very ungraceful. If I’m out in public my instinct is to give respect to everyone I see, assuming they are decent people, by smiling, saying hello, holding open a door, not getting in their way, picking something up they might have dropped, giving change or food to someone in need and not letting my mind assume bad things about them until I see the evidence of it. In accordance with a principle of justice, they are innocent until proven guilty.

Some people have a less trusting regard of the general public, likely formed by daily negative experiences, news stories and accounts of others being on the receiving end of undeserved disrespect, harassment, abuse, inconsideration and even violence. Could it be that they would prefer to withhold a respectful regard to others they don’t know by being repulsed by the idea of acting nice to someone who might be a bad person? Why assume the best of everyone when that assumption will be wrong in some cases? It might even be dangerous to be trusting to someone who would use the opportunity to commit an act of evil. Is the norm to act nice and give respect to someone who does that? No. The preference is then given to withhold respect and courtesy until some act of goodness is committed to prove someone’s worthiness. This is the logic of man and brings us back to why some might think works are necessary to prove our worthiness.

To a person without grasping or accepting grace, works seem necessary, day after day, moment after moment to earn respect. Once one work has been done, another must come along to continue to prove what grace proves in an instant without any demands or sacrifices… that even if we are bad people in sin, we deserve the assumption of others that we have the potential to be a good person, because we do have that potential in every moment, especially our lowest. Redemption is always possible, and we can prove it through acts of confession and repentance which lead to good works to amend what our sin has broken. Does God demand that we stone for sin? No. Jesus came to be the final sacrifice for sin. God became the atonement. His creation is what brought harm. He made possible the free will that causes hurt and pain in the world. He will restore what was broken. What is His only demand for our forgiveness? That we ourselves forgive others. Such grace truly is amazing. Amen.