Once a group of philosophers were discussing the various religions of the world and what was unique about Christianity among them. C.S Lewis came in on the conversation and said, oh that’s simple. The difference between Christianity and other faiths is grace. Grace simply is getting what we don’t deserve, or maybe on the flipside not getting what we do deserve. The hymn Amazing Grace was written by John Newton, a former slave trader who had a dramatic encounter with God that changed his life. He was overwhelmed by the fact that God could still love him and forgive him despite the heinous crimes he had committed in his life. For him, God’s forgiveness was truly amazing grace! When was the last time you experienced God’s amazing grace personally?
I was chatting with a fellow pastor this week and they were reflecting on the amazing grace of God to Aaron in the Old Testament. Israel had just come out of Egypt and were at the foot of Mt Sinai. They had, in recent months, seen God do incredible things. Not only that, his presence was with them in the form of the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. Moses had gone up the mountain to talk to God and receive the Law, and the top of the mountain was covered with cloud and fire. But he was gone a long time – about 40 days or so. The people began to grumble and say “where is Moses”? Incredibly they went to Aaron, Moses right hand man, and said “make us an idol from gold for us to worship”.
Not only was this request outrageous given all they had experienced, Aaron unbelievably went along with it and made a golden calf and declared that this was the “god” that had bought them out of Egypt! Moses comes down the mountain and finds them worshiping this calf and running wild. Then Aaron has the nerve to lie and say that he just thrown the gold into the fire and “out came this calf”. Yet despite all this, rather than striking Aaron down, God shows incredible grace to him and forgives him. He allows him to keep being the head priest, and more than that gets the craftsmen and weavers to make for Aaron elaborate garments and ornaments to wear in his priestly role representing the people before God. Amazing Grace! Aaron got what he didn’t deserve, and he didn’t get what he did deserve.
It made me stop and reflect on God’s grace in my life. God doesn’t grant me my “shopping list” prayers, but he has given me so much grace in my life in so many ways. This week take some time as you pray to think about God’s grace and what that has meant for you. How has God demonstrated his grace over your life and what have you got that you didn’t deserve, or perhaps not got what you did deserve? Can you join with John Newton and Aaron declaring his amazing grace?
Grace and Peace - Garry