“Weak Christians look more on their sins than on their graces; yet God looks on their graces and overlooks their sins and infirmities. The Holy Ghost said, ‘Ye have heard of the patience of Job.’ He might also have said, ‘Ye have heard of the impatience of Job,’ but God reckons his people not by what is bad in them, but by what is good in them. Mention is made of Rahab’s entertainment of the spies, but no mention is made that she told a lie when she did so. That which was well done was mentioned to her praise, and what was amiss, is buried in silence, or, at least, is not recorded against her and charged upon her. He who drew the picture of Alexander, with his scar on his face, drew him with his finger on his scar. God lays the finger of mercy upon the scars of our sins. O it is good serving such a master, who is ready to reward the good we do, and is ready to forgive and pass by what is amiss. Therefore, you who have but little grace, yet remember that God will have his eye on that little grace. He will not quench the smoking flax, nor break the bruised reed.” –Christopher Love quoted in Men Ahead by Timothy M. Shorey
“God reckons his people not by what is bad in them, but by what is good in them”
In Hebrews Chapter 11, God’s Hall of Faith, he records his people’s victories while mentioning none of their failures. He praises Noah for fearing him and building the Ark, yet overlooks the time Noah got tanked and lay naked in his tent. God extols Abraham for leaving home in faith, yet fails to mention how he deceived Pharaoh to save his skin. God underlines Sarah’s faith to receive the power to conceive in old age, but ignores her unbelieving guffaw when she first heard God’s promise.
God highlights Jacob’s faith to bless Joseph’s sons on his deathbed, yet omits how Jacob deceived his father and ripped off his brother’s inheritance. God commends Moses’ faith to refuse to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, but is silent about his murder of an Egyptian in cold blood. David, too, makes the hero list, with no mention of his adultery with Bathsheba or murder of her husband.
But the most surprising name in the Hall of Faith is Sampson. Samson! He married a Philistine, entered a forbidden vineyard (NU 6.3-4), defiled himself by touching a carcass (NU 6.6), and visited a prostitute. But none of these failures are mentioned. He’s listed as a hero of faith.
How can God focus on the “little” grace in our lives and bury our vast failures? Because Christ atoned for all his people’s sins, removing them as far as east is from west. God plunged them into the sea of Christ’s blood and brings them up no more.
Therefore, you who have but little grace, yet remember that God will have his eye on that little grace.
photo by yersinia
Written by Mark Altrogge
Topics: Grace