The old hymn writer didn’t get it wrong, but sometimes we do. God’s grace is a kingdom reality that strengthens, extends mercy, and offers hope practically and daily. Grace is amazing; however, we relegate its sheer power when we limit who or how much God can forgive.

Grace to Ourselves

The grace of God is not merely a term for us to look up in a theological dictionary. Nor is it an abstract notion for everybody else to discuss in Bible studies or sing about. Christ came and died for actual ungodly sinners in need of grace.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)

One of the most beautiful aspects of our church is the “for you” aspect of confession, absolution, preaching, and the sacraments. I’m in continuous, desperate need of God’s grace, chiefly displayed in Christ’s sacrifice for the forgiveness of my sins and the peace that only comes through the Gospel. So are you. God’s grace unapplied to our own lives is unamazing grace.

Grace to Our Enemies

As glad sinner recipients of grace, we ironically struggle to see grace extended to our enemies. Jonah’s prayer to the Lord after seeing God grant forgiveness is more of a window into ourselves than we’d care to admit.

And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.” (Jonah 4:2)

How often have we disregarded those who have fallen as second-class Christians or outcasts? How often have we fled from a God who would forgive our enemies as easily and quickly as He forgives us? Having been forgiven much, we are in no position to secretly or publicly call for the destruction of those with whom we are at odds. Grace not offered to our enemies is unamazing grace.

Grace Upon Grace

Is the grace of God like the widow’s oil or the unforgiving servant? Is it an occasional act of mercy within the confines of our interpretations of the law or the very prerogative of God to limitlessly forgive and restore without consulting our mindsets of merit?

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. (John 1:16-17)

Moses gave the law, and we’d prefer to be doctors of the law than disciples of grace and truth. The latter is far messier and involves eating with tax collectors, sinners, and breaking old traditions in light of new realities of grace (Luke 5:29-39). Receiving grace upon grace should make us glad recipients and joyful ambassadors of a kingdom of unmerited sacrificial love. Grace with human limitations is unamazing grace.

We theological types have grown adept at seeing the doctrinal trees and missing the redemptive forest. Unamazing grace is merely a biblical concept. Amazing grace makes its way into broken, sin-scarred lives and repeatedly leaves a trail of forgiveness for us and our enemies.

-Photo by Andreas M on Unsplash