Are There Lesser Measures of Grace For Me When I Sin?
Perhaps you do not doubt that God forgives and still loves you when you sin. But have you bought into a more subtle theological error? One Satan loves to tempt Children of God into? The idea that when you sin, when you fall, when you are at your weakest, you receive a “lesser measure” of grace, than you do when you are faithful and strong?
I often fall into this trap. My theology keeps me from believing that God is done with me as a struggler. But my pride tempts me to believe I must earn the fullness of grace.
God Does not measure His grace
We must only look at one scripture to reveal to us the error in this thinking. As you read, answer this question: At what state were you in when God, desiring to show you the depth of his love for you, sent His son to display that depth of love?
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
- Romans 5:6-10
What state were you in? Weak. Sinful. Imperfect. Ungodly. Rebellious. The argument Paul is stating here is that maybe for a good or righteous person someone would die, but even then it’s rare. With that being true, consider the astonishing reality that the perfect Jesus gave up all of his pleasures of Heaven, to come into this broken and dark world, and then gave up his life on the cross for us… while we were still sinners.
You and I received the fullest measure of grace and love while we were sinners. That means that every day God does not withhold the fullness of grace until you reach some level of perfection. No, every day you receive the full measure of grace. Why? Because God did not withhold the fullness of it (Jesus on the cross) when we were sinners. God does not serve half glasses. God does not serve half portions of grace.
Psalm 103 says: “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children”
These truths, mixed with Romans 5, met me today. They reminded me that every cup of grace handed to you and I is undeserved. And every time, the cup is overflowing with more than enough grace for our sins and failures. So get back up. Today is a new day filled with new mercies. The question is not will God give grace. No, grace is extended to you. The question is, will you receive the overflowing cup?
Fighting to rest in God’s grace with you,
Josh.
