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Read: 1 Peter 4:1-11
I have nicknamed our car No Grace. Sunday mornings are the worst. I load the car with all the stuff I need for church, get myself in my seat, close the door, and Jay starts backing out of the garage. While I am still getting settled, the seat belt warning starts buzzing. Please, I say to it, all I need is another minute. The answer, apparently, is no, because it continues buzzing until I am buckled in.
This minor annoyance is a good reminder of what life would be like if indeed there were no grace. Each of us would immediately be called to account for every indiscretion. There would be no time for repentance or change of behavior. There would be no forgiveness. No mercy. No hope.
Living in this world sometimes feels like falling into a no-grace sinkhole. When minor flaws are blown up into major indiscretions or when people refuse to overlook the faults and offenses of others, we end up burdened by the weight of guilt that we were never meant to carry. God, in His grace, sent Jesus to carry the burden for us. Those who receive Gods gift of grace have the privilege of offering it to others on Christs behalf: Above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).