Getting What We Deserve?
Did you ever get something that you knew you really didn’t deserve? During the last couple of days I’ve searched my memory for just such an event in my life. Outside of all the things that Jesus has done for me, I came up totally empty. I thought about that truth for a while and concluded that most of us (like when we make a purchase for ourselves) feel as if we’re getting what we deserve. I also concluded that when we get a gift from someone else, our selfish nature has a habit of subtly kicking in to somehow convince us that we’re getting what we deserve – even though we politely express our gratitude for our ‘undeserved’ gift.
The reality is that the only thing I recall getting that I really did deserve was punishment, like a ticket for speeding or a spanking for rebellion. Even then, my selfishness was engaged to the point that I protested my innocence and declared that I didn’t deserve what I got!
Such is the fallen nature of men nurtured in a world that thinks it deserves what it wants and cries “unfair” when the consequences of selfish sin brings its predictable harvest of judgment. We think we’re getting what we deserve when we get what we want, yet often it’s not necessarily what we deserve. In fact, in nearly every circumstance we attempt to justify ourselves and, in our own opinion, we come out smelling like roses – regardless of what we get!
One again we see the completely different nature of God’s Kingdom and the grace given to us so freely through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Grace (which is God’s power, ability and character completely revealed to everyone who will follow Jesus) doesn’t give us what we truly deserve. Instead, God lovingly gives us what we don’t deserve.
God’s grace isn’t getting what we deserve, it’s getting what we don’t deserve! While we recognize the difference, it’s still a real struggle to keep our selfish nature from distorting God’s grace to the point that we try to take advantage of Him.
In order to stay healthy and holy spiritually, it is a good thing to remind ourselves that we honestly deserve God’s judgment and anger for the sins we commit – both past and present. When we do so, our appreciation of His grace and goodness, along with the presence of His Spirit, empowers us to turn away from sin and allows the restoration of our lives to take place. By placing our faith in the risen Christ we invite God’s Spirit to continuously draw us closer to the Father. Only as we consistently follow Him will we see His continuing work within our hearts, restoring us and making us more and more like His Son, Jesus.
That restoration is God’s justification, and He does all things well!
How exciting to be His people,
Pastor David Vanderpool
