Spurning Grace?
We all know this theologically and practically: we can’t earn grace. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:8, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Grace plus anything is no longer grace.
But here’s the question: if we can’t earn grace, do we sometimes spurn grace? Do we undervalue it, under-appreciate it, or take for granted God’s daily kindness, patience, and mercy?
Jesus said, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him.” And think about this—none of us were there when the Trinity decided, in eternity past, to invite us into the divine dance of life. Out of sheer goodness and grace, God said, “Let us make man.” Chris Tomlin put it beautifully: He’s a “Good, Good Father.”
Jonah knew this too. He prayed in Jonah 4:2, “I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love.” Jonah knew grace, but he loved it only for himself. For others? He spurned it.
Even after a raging storm, sailors throwing their cargo overboard, three nights in the belly of a fish, a second chance, a plant, a worm, and a scorching wind—Jonah still resisted God’s global grace. But notice this: God didn’t give up. He kept working on Jonah’s small ego, tribal thinking, and unresolved anger.
Jesus carried this message forward with His parable of the wedding banquet. The king invited everyone—the good and the bad alike—because that’s God’s heart: “Whosoever will may come.” Some ignored the invitation. Some came. But one man entered without the garment the king freely provided. The king asked, “How did you get in here without clothes, friend?” And the man had no answer.
His silence spoke volumes. He rejected the king’s gift. He spurned grace in the king’s very presence. Jonah resisted grace but at least faced God. This man rejected grace outright—and was cast into outer darkness.
Why? Because refusing God’s robe of righteousness is choosing self-righteousness. It is, as Hebrews 10 says, trampling the Son of God underfoot and insulting the Spirit of grace.
Friends, the banquet is still coming. The marriage supper of the Lamb. Nothing will stop it. The only question is this: will we accept the King’s invitation and wear His robe of righteousness—or will we spurn it?
God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Not just so we could be forgiven, but so we could be welcomed forever into the Triune life and love of God.
Strong Blessings,
Cedric
Traditionalwriter@yahoo.com
But here’s the question: if we can’t earn grace, do we sometimes spurn grace? Do we undervalue it, under-appreciate it, or take for granted God’s daily kindness, patience, and mercy?
Jesus said, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him.” And think about this—none of us were there when the Trinity decided, in eternity past, to invite us into the divine dance of life. Out of sheer goodness and grace, God said, “Let us make man.” Chris Tomlin put it beautifully: He’s a “Good, Good Father.”
Jonah knew this too. He prayed in Jonah 4:2, “I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love.” Jonah knew grace, but he loved it only for himself. For others? He spurned it.
Even after a raging storm, sailors throwing their cargo overboard, three nights in the belly of a fish, a second chance, a plant, a worm, and a scorching wind—Jonah still resisted God’s global grace. But notice this: God didn’t give up. He kept working on Jonah’s small ego, tribal thinking, and unresolved anger.
Jesus carried this message forward with His parable of the wedding banquet. The king invited everyone—the good and the bad alike—because that’s God’s heart: “Whosoever will may come.” Some ignored the invitation. Some came. But one man entered without the garment the king freely provided. The king asked, “How did you get in here without clothes, friend?” And the man had no answer.
His silence spoke volumes. He rejected the king’s gift. He spurned grace in the king’s very presence. Jonah resisted grace but at least faced God. This man rejected grace outright—and was cast into outer darkness.
Why? Because refusing God’s robe of righteousness is choosing self-righteousness. It is, as Hebrews 10 says, trampling the Son of God underfoot and insulting the Spirit of grace.
Friends, the banquet is still coming. The marriage supper of the Lamb. Nothing will stop it. The only question is this: will we accept the King’s invitation and wear His robe of righteousness—or will we spurn it?
God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Not just so we could be forgiven, but so we could be welcomed forever into the Triune life and love of God.
Strong Blessings,
Cedric
Traditionalwriter@yahoo.com
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