What is grace?
Here’s an illustration from the Old Testament, from 2 Samuel 9.
Jonathan, son of Saul, was King David’s best friend. After Jonathan died, David wanted to show kindness to someone in Jonathan’s family:
“Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (v 1)
It turns out Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth who was lame in both feet. David sent for him.
Mephibosheth didn’t think very much of himself. He compared himself to a “dead dog” (v 8). After all, he was the crippled grandson of a failed king—two strikes against him.
And maybe that was a fair evaluation. But David had no intention of being fair. Instead, he wanted to show grace—favor that Mephibosheth did not deserve, but which was earned by another:
“Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake…” (v 7).
When the king summoned him, Mephibosheth must have feared the worst. He would not have imagined the grace coming his way:
“[I] will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually… I have given to your master’s son all that belonged to Saul and to all his house. You therefore, and your sons and your servants, shall work the land for him, and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread at my table always… he shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons” (vv 7b, 9-11).
Restored.
Treated like a son.
Eating at the king’s table forever.
What a wonderful illustration of God’s grace to you in salvation!
You may be lame in both feet and come from a checkered family. But God shows you kindness, for Jesus’ sake. He gives you eternal life and adopts you as a son (John 1:12). He invites you to eat with Him forever.
Tim_Amoroso
It is such a joy and relief to know what Jesus promised me, everlasting life, I have right now because I believed. I am absolutely sure that I have everlasting life, right now, and I can never lose it because God is always faithful to keep His promises.
Yes, He shows kindness to all. He pours out His grace upon anyone who simply believes in Him. What an awesome God!
KEN TAMASHIRO
Hi Pastor Shawn,
Thank You for the story of David.
What a nice way to start the week knowing God is Gracious and that we have an elevated position in his eyes.
Grace and Peace to you,
Ken Tamashiro
EternallySaved
Thank you, Shawn, for this. It is beautiful and true.
Can you and Ken and others please give me some assurance on something related to this?
I know I am saved forever, faith alone in Christ alone.
But I am scared at times that when I get to Heaven, all of the rest of you all will be in the feasting halls whatever form they take, with King Jesus, and I will be out side sitting on a bench away from everybody because I didn’t get rewards or crowns or I messed up somehow.
Again, I know I am saved, but, I am scared of this happening. Help me 🙁
Alvin
Luke 6:20-49 were a work in progress, no body has arrived unless they have died. It’s not a sprint but a marathon, if you messed up yesterday get back up.
EternallySaved
Thank you my brother in Christ, Alvin, this reply was very helpful, and encouraging. Amen. Can I also point out that, to continue the picture of a marathon, we Christians are in a marathon where the Leader (King Jesus) encourages us to help each other move along to be at our best for Him, and not competing against each other in some abrasive way?
Alvin
Good point….thank you Brother.
Alvin
Jesus Himself could be abrasive at times. But I’m not saying that as an excuse. I don’t have much sympathy for ones who call themselves free grace, but continually contradict it and undermine truth being taught.
There are wolves in sheep’s clothing, and you will know them by their words. They are running right along with us. They will tell you what you want to hear, but will undermine it all the time. Acts 20:29-30
So, there was the gentle Jesus and the abrasive Jesus…..you brood of vipers…you hypocrites….just to name a couple sayings. Now that wasn’t nice.
Paul said ‘Imitate me, just as I also Christ (1 Cor 11:1). Some have called that a sin imitating a man. And they would have you learn from false teachers.
I have one human hero in my life time, and I can only say that about one man Zane Hodges because I believe he imitated Christ. I believe Christ was formed in him more than any other man I’ve ever known (see Gal 4:9 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.)
That is the kind of example I want, no matter what someone thinks.