Always initiate Grace

We Christians often speak of grace. What is this grace?
The Greek word most often translated as “grace” in the New Testament is charis. Charis is defined as:
1. Grace
a. that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech
2. good will, loving-kindness, favour
a. of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues

It is therefore relatively easy to understand why we Christians are so enamored of the concept of grace. We have, through no action of our own, been afforded an unconditional love of a creator. We have truly been given better that we deserve.
Therefore, it is a good and joyful thing that we preach sermons about grace. Rightfully we extoll the virtues of grace to our friends, our church school classes. It only seems right that we rejoice in the grace that we have been given, even that we write and sing songs about grace.

“”Wonderful grace of Jesus, greater than all my sin; how shall my tongue describe it, where shall its praise begin? Taking away my burden, setting my spirit free, for the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Wonderful grace of Jesus, reaching to all the lost, by it I have been pardoned, saved to the uttermost; chains have been torn asunder, giving me liberty, for the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Wonderful grace of Jesus, reaching the most defiled, by its transforming power making him God’s dear child, purchasing peace and heaven for all eternity—and the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Chorus: Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus, deeper than the mighty rolling sea; higher than the mountain, sparkling like a fountain, all sufficient grace for even me; broader than the scope of my transgressions, greater far than all my sin and shame; O magnify the precious name of Jesus, praise His name!

However, we who rightly rejoice in the grace that we have been afforded, also often display an unfortunate tendency to refuse to show grace to those who are different than we.

I became aware of this tendency fairly early in life. It was this perceived hypocrisy of refusing to give grace to others even when rejoicing in our gifts of grace (in part) that led me to leave the church entirely for many years. As a member of a very conservative church, I saw the judgment handed down by the church against divorced people, people of color, people of other denominations, people of differing sexual orientations, etc. It can be rightly said that we Christians have made an art form of rejoicing in the grace that has been given us, all the while denying it to others.

After many years, I found myself in a fairly progressive church; one that, in many ways, seemed to be a better herald of grace, in the recognition that we are all flawed and imperfect beings, dependent on the Grace of a loving God. I was drawn in, by that acceptance, the knowledge that even I was welcome at the table of God.
Since that time, I have moved ever leftward, ever trying to grow closer to presenting the grace that I so enjoy. I (along with many other progressives) try in all that I do to present a reflection of God’s love to the lost, the least and the left behind.

Much that we do, it seems; from adopting unpopular causes to the lessons we teach seems to be done specifically in the hopes of personifying in small ways that very grace that we enjoy. I have learned however; I am not immune to occasional fancies of self-righteousness. I too am guilty of denying grace to others who are not so enlightened as I. (tongue firmly in cheek, there)

Therefore, although I identify myself as a progressive Christian, that identification should not prevent me from working with or building relationships with those who identify themselves differently. This may seem a forgone conclusion to most of us, but I have become aware of a tendency within myself to limit my dealings with those of a more conservative theology; in a sense denying them the same grace that I enjoy. While I realize that there are many avenues where we are unlikely to find allies of a more conservative nature, we should always be open to the movement of the Spirit within us and our more conservative brothers and sisters. So, while we progressives may stand alone as regarding same sex marriage for example; if we can ally with others as regarding poverty; we should embrace the opportunity; and welcome another of God’s children to their rightful place at the table.

One of my friends often closes his email letters with the following: Always Initiate Grace.

Always initiate grace. Lord, let it begin with me.