Grace Came with a Price

Grace Came with a Price: Christ Paid a Price You Could Not.

Have you ever chosen to show someone grace and it was hard. I mean, you really agonized over whether to show someone grace. It might be because you were not sure if it was the right thing to do or not do. Or, it may be that you really did not want to show grace even though you knew that it was the right decision.

Have you ever chosen to not so grace and then later realized you probably should have?

As a parent and teacher it can be really hard to know when to show grace, but it can be equally as hard, or harder, to show grace when you don’t feel like it.

Why is this so hard? I believe, in part, it is because grace cost the giver something. Sometimes it may cost much or very little. It may cost the giver time, energy, or an opportunity to retaliate for others wrong doings. It means giving up my right to “let the other person get what they deserve”. I have felt that way. And at the same time, I am thankful we have a gracious God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

This grace is unmerited favor God has bestowed on us. It is undeserved favor, meaning I did nothing to deserve it. In this context of Ephesians 2:8-9, I did nothing to deserve God’s gift. In fact, the Bible is quick to point out I was at enmity with God. I was hostile toward God when he offered me grace. He offered me the gift of grace leading to my salvation.

As we deepen our understanding of the salvation we have recieved, I believe it is essential that we understand that this exercise of grace came at a great price for the giver.

Turn in your Bible to...

1 Peter 2:21-25 “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

Called to Christ-likeness (v. 21)

This passage flows out of the earlier context.

Read 1 Peter 2:13-21

No matter our lot in life....

We have been Called and Purposed to exemplify Christ-likeness.

We a called and purposed to live out Christ-likeness toward those who treat us well and those who do not.

We are called to follow Jesus’s example. In this case we are emulate His character and conduct.

Christ’s suffering on our behalf becomes both the motivation and power by which we live out our calling.

Christ as Our Example (v. 21)

Christ qualifies as our example because his

Personal experience v. 21

Sinless Conduct v. 22

Selfless

Christ example qualified: v. 22

Quote from Isaiah 53:9

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 2:21–22

Jesus committed no sin, either before or during His suffering (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1 John 3:5). He was completely innocent in both deed and word: no deceit (dolos; cf. 1 Peter 2:1) was found in His mouth.

Each year I ask my 7th grade student this question on their Matthew 5 test. “A classmate calls you stupid. According to Jesus’ teaching how should you respond? How is this different from you natural response?”

This questions is based on the passage in Matthew 5 deals with retaliation and how we should respond. Do you know that almost every student gets to answer that question right. Yet, how long do you think it takes before I hear someone not heed their own answer? Not Long. So where is the disconnect? Clearly, it is not that they did not understand the material.

I try very hard to be a good example for my family, both my wife and daughters, of how to live a holy life. A life that is submissive to the Father. However, I know I fall short.

To be honest, neither I nor my 7th grade students are the best example. It doesn’t mean we don’t do good things. I just means we are flawed and thus not the best example.

However, Jesus is the perfect example. He knows what it is like to suffer, and to do it without sin.

Since Christ did suffer for us, on our behalf, it is clear that the grace God gave us came with a great price. This is an important point to understand, because when we do we will also understand that our giving grace to another will also cost us. This why it is important for us to understand the cost of God’s grace given to us. It is so that we can follow our calling, and in like manner, give grace to others, while following Christ example.

Jesus followed his calling. He submitted to the Father’s will despite the cost and so ought we, as we follow his example.

Jesus example was selfless (v. 21)

Jesus demonstrated how we ought to suffer for the glory of God and for the benefit of others.

Jesus is the perfect example of how we should live. To live out this example, we much understand first what it cost God so that we might experience His grace.

Read v. 23

Cost of Grace: Humility in the Face of Condemnation (v. 23)

Self-control

The one who created life, and sustains life, and by his very nature is the final authority on morality was reviled.

You and I may not always deserve the reviling we receive, but we know we are not perfect. He is the perfect one, the one who by his very nature determines right and wrong, good and evil, being reviled. Can you image? To endure 100% false accusations. Such that their is not one shred of truth to what is being said, and then take it. That is self-control/patience.

Meekness

Not only did he take it. While suffering for you and me, H e did not make any threats. You and me, we would be taking names and letting them know that judgment is coming. The hammer is going to drop so look out.

Submission to the Father

despite unfair treatment

We see this time and time again.

Trust

trusted the Father who would right all wrongs.

He trust that the Father, the ultimate judge, would judge rightly.

Jesus was trust the Father to rightly judge, our sins, that Jesus bore on our behalf.

2 Corinthians 5:21 “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

This then meant the cost of grace was

Cost of Grace: Christ’s Pain for our Gain (v. 24)

Christ bore the weight of judgement of our sin

An act of selflessness.

Payment: He bore our sins which meant his suffering and death. He became sin for us.

++Healed to live righteously

Reward: We have the opportunity to die to sin and live in righteousness.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (2:23–25)

Christ suffered so it would be possible for Christians to follow His example, both in suffering and in righteous living.

God’s grace made it possible that you and I can stand uncondemned in the presents of the Holy God. We bear the Righteousness of Christ.

Grace looked beyond the offence and saw an opportunity for redemption.

Goal of Grace: Restoration (v. 25)

This too has an element of cost. It is the work of restoration.

Mankind: Sheep

Straying from life to sin.

Continually straying: No hope, aimless, directionless, in need but unable to help self.

Grace/God: created opportunity through the Son to return to the Shepherd and Guardian of you souls

Shepherd: One who cares, provides guidance, and protects

Guardian of your souls: The one who watches over and gives guidance to.