I’ve been doing a lot of thinking on the subject of grace lately.

My thoughts have generally focused on the lack of it. As I look at the Church, I find a strange absence of grace among believers. Look at the in-fighting within church walls. Look at the arguments between denominations. Look at the grasp for power between conservatives and liberals. Look at the relationships between believers. Look at the relationships between believers and non-believers. What is missing? Too often, it is grace.

It’s my considered opinion that, for those of us who have received God’s grace, we should take it beyond experience and put it into practice.

What would our world look like if God’s “amazing grace” was lived out by His people? What would it look like if believers chose to respond with grace rather than judgment? How would our lives, our churches, and our world be different if we would respond in an attitude and manner of grace towards those who have wronged us with their words or actions?

Grace is a pretty incredible thing…And, I’m pretty sure it’s not meant to stop once we receive it. Once we receive grace, we should respond by living lives of grace.

While pondering the practice of grace, I stumbled across a writing of Mike Yaconelli’s on the subject. He writes:

Grace is outrageously unfair, ridiculously extravagant, and unashamedly the center of the gospel, and it sure beats judgmentalism, legalism, and all the other isms. Grace always gives second chances, third chances, and never stops giving chances. Grace has Jesus written all over it. Grace makes people nervous, because they are always so worried someone is going to take advantage of it. But that’s what we like about grace. You can take advantage of it. But here’s the really interesting part – grace doesn’t just let everyone in. Anyone, yes, but not everyone. And the Grace of God frequently includes the unexpected. So…who’s in and who’s not? Only God knows, and that’s fine with us.

How will you live out a life of grace?

This morning, I stumbled upon a passage of Scripture that caused me to reflect on how I give of my time, talents, and treasures.  The passage comes from Matthew 6:2-4.  The Message paraphrase puts it this way,

When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. You’ve seen them in action, I’m sure—’playactors’ I call them— treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that’s all they get. When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.

Living in a world that tends to place too much importance on status and recognition, this passage of Scripture should cause us to re-think how we give.

I once served a church where a member went out of his way to make sure the senior pastor knew he was in church and giving his “tithe”. How did he do this? Well, instead of putting his envelope in the offering plate, he handed it directly to the senior pastor. This wasn’t just an occasional “oh, I forgot to put this in the plate” sort of thing. This was an “every time the guy was a church” sort of thing. And why? My guess is because he longed for the pastor to recognize him and say, “thank you”.

We live in a world where people shell out serious cash to have their names placed on a stadium, arena, or building of higher education. It used to be that the naming of a building was to honor a person…now the naming of a building goes to the highest bidder. And why? For the recognition? For the status that comes with having a building with your name on it?

This passage tells us to forget about the recognition. This passage tells us to forget about the status. This passage tells us to give…simply to give. This passage tells us to give…when no one is watching. This passage tells us to give…and not draw attention to ourselves.

And, this is difficult…because I know for myself that when I do something for someone in need, I want to tell others and pat myself on the back…I want people to say, “wow, how selfless!” But, that is not what giving is about. Giving is about responding to the needs of those around us in practical and tangible ways without expecting anything in return.

So, the challenge is to look for opportunities to give…when no one is looking…with no expectations of a “thank you” or other recognition…with no strings attached…simply to give when you see a need…to give because that is what we’re called to do.

This morning, while reading through Proverbs 8, I found out that Wisdom is really Lucy from Peanuts.

Do you hear Lady Wisdom calling? Can you hear Madame Insight raising her voice? She’s taken her stand at First and Main, at the busiest intersection. Right in the city square where the traffic is thickest, she shouts, “You-  I’m talking to all of you, everyone out here on the streets! Listen, you idiots – learn good sense! You blockheads – shape up! Don’t miss a word of this – I’m telling you how to live well, I’m telling you how to live at your best. My mouth chews and savors and relishes truth – I can’t stand the taste of evil! You’ll only hear true and right words from my mouth; not one syllable will be twisted or skewed. You’ll recognize this as true – you with open minds; truth-ready minds will see it at once. Prefer my life disciplines over chasing after money, and God-knowledge over a lucrative career. For Wisdom is better than all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.” ~Proverbs 8:1-11

Sometimes you hear a song, a poem, or a story and you just can’t shake it. It sticks with you. It creeps into your mind at the oddest of times. There are times when this is awesome because the song, poem, or story is incredible. There are other times when this is a horrible occurence because the song, poem, or story is awful (kind of like that Kris Allen song, “Live Like We’re Dying”…of course, that’s up for debate because some of you might like that song…it just annoys me).

Yesterday, I heard a passage of Scripture and it rocked me. The first reading just floored me…it encouraged me…it challenged me…it renewed my spirit. And, ever since the first reading, I just can’t shake it.

Here it is: 

Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody. Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. (Romans 12:9-21, The Message)

There’s a lot of good stuff in that passage. Read it several times…slowly. What is it saying to you?

While driving to Greenville, OH on Friday, I noticed a church sign.

The sign served its given purpose as it did get my attention.

The sign also troubled me.

The message of the sign: “Floods? Earthquakes? I told you so! Signed, God.”

Wow! What a loving message!

This message certainly did not make me want to learn more about that particular church. The sign left me with a bad feeling.

Then I began to wonder…was the intent of the sign to attract people to Christ or to offend people?

There’s a big difference between the two.

If the intent was to attract people to Christ, they may want to go back to the drawing board. If the intent was to offend people… job well done!

There are folks out there who desire to offend people because…”after all, the Gospel of Christ is offensive.” These are the same folks who like to “scare the hell out of people”. A sign like this basically makes me think that these are folks who believe the “world is going to hell in a hand-basket”. And, rather than interacting with that world…rather than trying to help change that world…they simply desire to point and laugh at that world. And so, you find churches that try to offend and scare people straight…”You are a horrible sinner…you will burn in hell…unless you change and come to Jesus…and our church.”

I believe the desire to offend and scare people into a relationship with Christ totally misses the point of the Gospel.

The message of Christ is all about love, grace, mercy. As Christians, we’re called to somehow embody these things…love, grace, mercy, patience, etc.

So, when we find ourselves known for church signs that give God credit for tragic events that claim thousands and thousands of lives around the world, I think we’ve missed the point.

On our way home from Ohio, I saw another church sign. It didn’t make me made. In fact, I found myself somewhat relieved.

The sign simply said, “God is not mad at you.”

I like that message!

“…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:12-13)

And, so I find myself needing to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience for the folks at that church. Sometimes, it’s easier to be loving, peaceful, patient, kind, and gentle with folks outside than church than inside it.

So, as I’ve said before, if you feel led to have a church sign with a message on it…try to focus on love!