Minister’s Corner: Available grace

Jesus told the story about a Pharisee and a tax collector who went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee prayed loudly, thanking God that he was a good man, not like other men - robbers, evil doers, and not like the tax collector over there. He reminded God that he fasted and tithed regularly. The tax collector couldn’t pray that kind of prayer. He knew he wasn’t a good man. He couldn’t even raise his eyes to heaven - instead he beat his breast and prayed, “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.” The amazing thing is that Jesus said it was the tax collector who was justified, not the Pharisee. Why? It was because the Pharisee believed that he had some good quality in him. He saw only goodness in himself and badness in others. The tax collector recognized his need for God’s mercy. The Pharisee needed God’s mercy, too, but he couldn’t see it.
The biblical teaching of grace goes against everything “the world” thinks about God. The world believes that God helps those who help themselves. The world believes that God’s attitude towards us is one of stern disapproval. Grace teaches us that God’s attitude is one of love and acceptance. The world believes that God’s mercy has limitations. Grace teaches us that God’s mercy is unlimited. His grace is free, it is big and it is strong. And it is available to you and me anytime we ask.