Targets of Grace

“But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Whenever we are in Charleston, we attend Seacoast Church where we love to worship God and love the pastors. They are made up of family members who alternate in bringing the Word of God to multi-sites across the region. This past week was different in as much as they had a panel of 4 generations. The grandfather began recalling a time when his baby girl whom he adored began walking in rebellion. He took her to a counselor who informed him that her actions were just normal teenage rebellion. He told her that in his estimate it was abnormal demonic possession! Haven’t we all felt that when our children were walking out the teenage years? But as the laughter died down he recalled a night when they were celebrating her 18th birthday. She was finally on the other side of her rebellion and as she sat across the table tears streamed down her face. She asked her dad would he ever be able to forgive her for that season? He told her that the moment the doctors laid her in his arms 18 years prior, he forgave her for all the sins for which she would commit for the rest of her life.

What a beautiful snapshot of our Father in Heaven. As soon as we gulped our first breath on earth we were taken hostage to sin. But God who had already gone before us by sending Jesus in place of us created the same situation as the pastor's daughter. We were all born under the forgiveness for every sin we would ever commit. It doesn’t matter what we have done or what we will do, as believers born into the family of Christ we are covered…chosen… forgiven.

To the believer who is guilt-ridden for the choices they made, forgive yourself for God already has. To the woman who measures herself against another, lay down the comparisons for God made you unique. For the mom and dad who worry their child isn't saved, lay them down at the Father's feet and allow Him to carry that cause. For the leader who feels the burden of being everything, understand you are the one being led by the true Leader. For the proud find ways to become humble, and for the weak find courage to walk out your God-given purpose.

We have all fallen short of God’s glory, but when Christ took the ultimate fall in death and the beautiful rise in power we became targets of grace from the day we were born. So, let that wash over us this morning and be thankful that the very first birthday gift ever given to us was that unending, ever-present gift of extravagant grace and mercy.