One of the most popular hymns the world has ever known is “Amazing Grace.”
So, what’s so amazing about God’s mercy and grace?
Is it amazing or not? The attitudes and behaviors of many who sing the song would make one wonder.
God’s mercy and grace have to do with what God doesn’t give us, and what God does give us.
What is God’s Mercy?
Because we “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) — in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds — we deserve judgment and condemnation. BUT, because of God’s MERCY,
He doesn’t give us what we truly rightfully deserve.
On the other hand,
What is God’s Grace?
We cannot help ourselves. As the old saying goes, “We cannot lift ourselves by our own bootstraps.” Hard as we may try, no amount of effort on our part can possibly remove the sins that we daily commit in our thoughts, words, and deeds. This is where God’s GRACE comes in! By His excellent grace,
He freely gives us the favor we rightly do not deserve.
So do you see? God’s MERCY is when He withholds the consequences of sin that we should experience. God’s GRACE is when He doles out the favor that we don’t deserve to experience.
So, Bible-Quoting Critics Beware!
You, like everyone else, have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
You, like everyone else, deserve the consequences of your sin.
You, like everyone else, do not deserve the favor of God.
And yet, because His only begotten Son paid the full price for your sins, He gave you His love, mercy, and grace by your simply asking for it!
You deserved divine judgement, but you didn’t get it. Because of the MERCY of God.
You didn’t deserve favor, but God bestowed in upon you. It is because of the GRACE of God.
The Lord Jesus Christ gave you His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23).
He gives it to ALL who believe (Romans 3:22; Galatians 3:22).
“Therefore, you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.” Romans 2:1 (NKJV)
You have no right, therefore, to judge and condemn a person with same-sex attraction who believes that Jesus Christ is his or her personal Savior. You have no right whatsoever.
Jesus told you, now listen!
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37, NKJV).
So then, my sisters and brothers with same-sex attraction, come back to Jesus! Don’t let the self-appointed gatekeepers of the Kingdom of Heaven stand in your way! Come BOLDLY before His throne of grace. You, like all the other “sinners” in the world will find grace in the time of need!
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16, NKJV).