If John Newton were writing his song “Amazing Grace” today, would he still use the word “Amazing”?
It’s unfortunate, but we get so accustomed to a word that its impact is lost. As Newton pondered God’s gift of grace, I believe that the adjective “Amazing” represented fresh insight for him. Now, when most of us think about God’s grace, familiarity with his song has programmed us to think “amazing” without stopping and pondering the significance of that word.
So, what descriptive word does make me think “wow” when I consider God’s grace?
A conversation with my Celebrate Recovery sponsor brought me face to face with grace.
I was lamenting over an area of personal struggle. An area where he lives in victory. Which, in my mind, meant he had the right to be judgmental.
Instead, he spoke along these lines: “Mark, regardless of where you are in this struggle, I accept you. I value you. I love you.”
He wasn’t telling me that wrong choices were OK, but he was telling me that he does not identify me by my battle. His words spoke life and encouragement into my struggle. Honestly I felt frustrated, because no answer of mine felt like an adequate response to the grace he showed. I could only chose to receive his words.
Frustrating. That’s a good adjective for grace.
God’s grace is frustrating. Even though I fail repeatedly to live as a son of God should live, (I’m selfish, proud, manipulative, controlling, and that’s on a good day!) God says
“Mark, I accept you. I value you. I love you. Because of your sin I once couldn’t even look at you. But I wanted to see you. So I took your sin and placed it on my Son Jesus. And I put His righteous on you.”
For (God) made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
That’s grace. And that’s frustrating to someone, like myself, addicted to trying to earn his standing with others. I can only say “Thank You!”
I’m truly thankful for (and amazed at 🙂 ) God’s frustrating grace!
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Mark, I was dying to know what synonym you were going to select to replace “Amazing” and found myself shouting “YES!” when I got to your surprising selection – frustrating.
Oh my, yes, this is so perfect. This is my battle as well! Thank God, truly, that we are saved by His grace despite ourselves.
I agree wholeheartedly Amy! I love being frustrated by God’s grace!
Great post my friend.
Reminded me of the song “Fail Us Not” that we discussed a few years back: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY2xkSCK7MI
Powerful!
Yes, “Fail Us Not” is a great presentation of God’s grace. I need to watch that video again. Thanks for sharing that link with us Burt!
Thank you for sharing these words. The word ‘frustrating’ was not what I was expecting but it is so true.
Thank you Merri, I was a bit surprised myself when I realized that God’s grace could be described as “frustrating”!