Uncommon Grace
UNCOMMON GRACE DEFINED
You may have been given the same definition of grace as I was, “unmerited favor”. But in my opinion that common definition leads people away from what the Bible emphasizes is uncommon about God’s grace. You may also be familiar with Ephesians 2:8 which says, “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves it is the gift of God”. Paul is giving a subtle but unique definition of grace by using two different Greek words to talk about salvation, “grace” and “gift”. He’s accentuating the freeness of the gift, and the graciousness of the giver. But the definition “unmerited favor” focusses on the cost of the gift and the need of the recipient.
I love how Romans 11:29 emphasizes this understanding of God’s grace, “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.” So, here’s my definition of uncommon grace – it’s a gift freely given with no strings attached. That is the uncommon grace of God.
UNCOMMON GRACE ILLUSTRATED
Arguably the best picture of uncommon grace is painted in the parable of “The Prodigal Son”. The thing that makes common grace, common, is its predictability, its reasonableness. In the story of the prodigal, the father’s grace seems embarrassingly irresponsible. The son is clearly selfish, immature and unwise, so a father would have to be stupid to give him a bunch of cash. Then, once the son wastes it all, to welcome him back the way the father did without a reprimand or probationary period seems unbelievably irresponsible. Maybe we should call the story, “the prodigal father” instead.
However, look at the different responses of the two sons. The son who received grace understood and received restoration to his father as freely as it was given. The older brother, on the other hand, only related to the father through duty and guilt. The average Christian is overloaded with guilt and duty. As Haddon Robinson once said, “they’re like Atlas standing before God, holding the world on their shoulders and asking God for strength to keep holding it up, and God says, ‘Put that fool thing down and dance on it.’” Now that’s Uncommon Grace!
UNCOMMON GRACE LIVED
So, what are some ways we can extend uncommon grace in this common world? Micah 6:8 gives us three great ideas; “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
- “Walk humbly with your God” – Uncommon grace is uncommon because it’s God’s grace, not mine.We don’t do God’s grace, God’s way, apart from God’s enablement. We need an ongoing filling of God’s grace, because we can’t give away what we don’t possess. Plus, we can only receive the grace we want to give away by confidently approaching the throne of grace to receive it (Heb. 4:16). People of uncommon grace walk prayerfully through life, seeing where grace needs to be extended, and having confidence in the Lord that He can give you what is needed
- “Love mercy” – Grace and mercy are twins: grace gives by giving, mercy gives by withholding. You’ll probably encounter people today that treat you badly, and deserve to be “put in their place.” Instead, be merciful and don’t give them what they deserve, give them what they need.
- Act justly – Isaiah 1:7 describes what acting justly looks like, it says, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” If you see someone today who is mistreated or beaten down, don’t merely pity them, help them.
God gives us uncommon grace, not just so we can enjoy receiving it, but so we can enjoy giving it. Let’s make it our aim today to be people of uncommon grace, people who act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God.