April 4, 2017
Ephesians 2:1-10
That Amazing Grace
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works so that no can boast. (Ephesians
2:8-9, NIV)
Ok. So how many times do you think you have you have sung the Hymn “Amazing
Grace.” I would imagine that for most of us the number would be in the hundreds
(and luckily, I can say that Richard has sung it a lot more often than I have). But
do we really understand what the concept of “grace” is all about?
I think a lot of us still feel like we need to earn our way to heaven. If we pray
the right prayer, if we help this homeless person, if we read so many pages of the
Bible every day, God will take notice. But it doesn’t work like that. There is nothing
that we can do – it’s all God. It’s all because Jesus Christ took our sins upon the
cross and died in our place. It’s God love – or God’s grace – that saves us.
When you are a task-oriented person like I am, the idea that I don’t have to do
anything to win God’s love is beyond my comprehension. But that is the reality.
All I have to do is believe. All God asks is that I believe in Jesus Christ. It can’t
and shouldn’t be that simple – but it is.
Let me tell you about Dexter Eugene Bartholomew Cobb. Dexter is our puppy dog
– or as Richard puts – our “miserable animal”. I love Dexter, and Dexter brings
much, much joy to my life. There are times when I get angry at him or I’m
disappointed in him (such as when he decides to bark incessantly and pull at the
leash when the school bus drives by), but I still love him. And he really doesn’t
do anything to earn my love (although he is incredibly cute). He’s just Dexter, and
I love him.
So it is with God. I’m sure that there are times when God is angry and disappointed
in me (saying mean words to friends and family, passing by someone who needs
help, judging someone too harshly), but He still loves me. I didn’t do anything to
earn it – it’s just because Jesus loves me. Think of that - I’m just Carroll and yet
Jesus loves me.
And Jesus loves you just as much. Whatever you’ve done (or not done) - Jesus
loves you. Think about that! Amazing Grace, if you ask me.
Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound that saved a wretch like me. I once
was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see. Thank you, Jesus!
Carroll Cobb
35