Grace and Food Stamps

I was at a convenience store yesterday to

fill up with fuel and buy some gum.

I stood in line behind a couple of young men.

The oldest, I'd say 13 and the youngest around 5.

I noticed on the counter what they were buying.

4- 2 litres of soda.

2- 32oz powerades.

3- cans of Pepsi.

1- bag of candy.

Then came the clincher.

It was paid for with food stamps.

Really?

Food stamps?

I was immediately aggravated and

called my wife to rant.

Through the course of conversation it dawned

on me. There is a parallel here.

A parallel to grace.

The food stamp program was intended

to help those in need put food on their table.

It was not intended for pop and candy.

We've all seen the abuses and we all are rightly

agitated by those abuses.

But they were not breaking the law.

The program was intended to help

but like all things given to people, some abuse.

Ok. Many abuse.

It's kinda like grace.

Grace was given to all of us, but not without risk.

God knew there would be those who would abuse it

and not receive it as it was intended.

It was a risk He was and is willing to take.

Grace intended to bring us and keep us in fellowship

with the Father, through Christ.

Even when we sin.

He knew we would sin and grace is given to us

ahead of time so we can stay in constant fellowship with Him.

Of course there will be those who abuse this grace.

Of course there will be those who dishonor it.

God does not base grace on our behavior.

It is based on His goodness.

If God did not extend abundant grace to every believer,

none of us could stay in constant fellowship with Him.

We honor God's grace when we stay in fellowship with Him.

Even when we fail.

And we do fail.

All of us.

Walk in the assurance of God's faithful, abundant grace.

Allow it to transform your life as you seek

to be more and more like Christ.

When we fail, He still loves, forgives and walks with us.

It is the reward of His risk.

RP