So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. (ESV)

My gas light just came on. Do I stop and get gas? Or do I head home so I don’t miss curfew?

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These thoughts swirled through my teenage head as I drove home from a youth event in high school. At the time, it seemed more important to make curfew, but the next morning, as I was running late – of course – and realized I still needed gas, my dad did not think I had made the right choice. He made his thoughts known, and I went to school that day feeling defeated, as though I couldn’t have possibly made a “right” choice.  

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That afternoon, as I opened the door of my car to head to an internship, I was surprised to find on the front seat an apology card, a bag of kisses from my dad, and a tank full of gas. My dad could’ve taught me a lesson by making me get my own gas, stressed about making it to the station. He could’ve let me stew longer in the belief that he was upset with me for cutting my time too close and that he was disappointed I had been irresponsible, but instead, the lesson that stuck through the whole event was grace. That day, I understood, a little more fully, receiving what I didn’t deserve. I had, unintentionally, made his morning more complicated, and, although frustrated (he is human, after all), he chose to show me grace.  

Grace, by definition, is God’s unmerited favor. In other words, grace is getting what we don’t deserve. Romans 6:23 reminds us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” So, as sinners, if we deserve death, anything we receive other than death falls under the category of God’s unmerited favor, or grace. The very fact that we live is God’s grace.  

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Have you ever stopped to think about just how much grace you’ve received just today? My guess is that you probably have not. I know I don’t often ponder the extent to which I have received grace, but to bring this illustration to life, I have made a short list of the grace God has given me just today: A new day, breath in my lungs, family, friends, a home, a car to drive, a beautiful state, an awesome church community, a bed, food… You get the idea – the list goes on and on.  

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The list above includes just a few blessings that are centered in the present. This feels a bit more tangible to grasp, because if we cannot understand that it is by God’s grace that we are sustained here today, how can we possibly understand eternal life and the lavish grace we receive through Jesus? John 1:16-17 says, “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”  The law was God showing us his standard that we cannot meet. Without his grace, it was striving to earn what we never could. But God knew we could not measure up, and, instead of making us strive and fail, he sent Jesus to die so we might live in gratitude for his grace. God’s grace is ALWAYS sustaining us.  

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In thinking through that memorable day with my empty gas tank, it would’ve been kind of my dad to give me a sweet treat which communicated that he was no longer upset with me, but I still might be stranded along the road. It was mercy that I received a card telling me I am loved and forgiven for my mistake, but it was full-blown grace to have received his kindness and mercy and a full tank of gas, undeserved and paid for by my father who loves me. That is how God works, albeit on a much greater scale! It would have been kind that God told us he knew we could not measure up to his perfect standard, so he would send a rescuer, Jesus. It was his mercy, not getting what we deserve, that God sent Jesus to give his life for us; but it is full blown grace to receive his kindness and mercy and a “full tank of grace” in eternal life with him, undeserved and paid for by a Father in Heaven who loves us.

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I am so thankful for the kindness, mercy, and grace God so lavishly gives. Are you living defeated, like you can never make the right choices? Or are you operating with “a full tank of grace,” grateful for each blessing God gives? I pray today that you will live in that freedom with a grateful heart for God’s grace.  

God, we are in awe that you have chosen to give any of us grace. We are so undeserving of your favor. Help us to walk in the truth that we are forgiven, and the grace that you have loved us with is beyond our comprehension. Amen.