HERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT GRACE
ROMANS 11:6 NKJV
6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
There is just something about grace. It's humbling to receive something for free that we did not earn.
If you have ever had someone pay for your meal, it's a humbling experience. My first response when that occurred was to try and find out who it was. So I can say thank you. So I can say thank you and greet them personally. But when someone pays for my meal, and I am unable to determine who it was, it borders on frustrating. Of course, I am appreciative, but I want to do something.
There is something in us that wants to do something to earn God's favor and acceptance. It's a key reason many Jewish believers had such a struggle with the gospel. They could not do anything to be accepted by God.
But there is another aspect to grace that goes against another human factor that all of us possess. Pride.
The Jewish culture under the old covenant had built an entire system of works that catered to pride. The more works you did, the more you were able to distinguish yourself from other people. But pride is an ugly thing and created a harsh culture that was very tough on sinners, people with disabilities, and people who were not Jewish.
So when Paul showed up preaching grace, the response from the Gentiles was elation. But the response from the Jews was anger.
Grace levels the playing field. It does away with religious class distinctions and separations.
Grace is humbling. We did not earn God's forgiveness, nor did we earn any aspect of our salvation. Grace eliminates the haves and the have-nots. In Christ, we all become the haves. And I don't have more than you, nor do you have more than me.
And none of us can stand before God with any sense of pride. We did not work for our salvation; it was bought and paid for. Now we can be grateful. Now we can live out what has been done for us.
There is something about grace. It's more wonderful than words can express.