How Much Grace?

September 4, 2022

He died for us, was resurrected by the Father, and now makes intercession for us;

but that is not all. Because we sin and fall short of even our own expectations, not to

mention his goals for us, he gives more grace. Remember the prodigal son (Luke

15), “A certain man had two sons”. The fact that he had two sons is very important

for us to ponder. They were not Satan’s sons but God’s sons to whom he had

already given much (proved his grace), but like all children they wanted and needed

more. So, he gave what was needed, more than they needed, and more than they

asked. Follow the story the younger son - before his time he wanted his inheritance

and the Father gave without reserve. In a short time, he took all he could get and ran

away from home where he spent all the grace given him upon riotous living. His

brother thought him most corrupt and did not want to be identified with him as he

declared “your son” to the Father but did not claim him as a brother. Sometimes we

feel the same and even express our disgust with one another. De-brothering one

another yet acknowledging the truth of our Father’s son relationship to this wild

offspring that needs more grace. As you recall he soon spent all, was debauched,

depressed by his sinful condition, and in humility chose to return home. His plan

was to ask for “more grace” knowing and hoping that his Father would allow him to

become a servant (not a master or even a son with privileges, but a slave). So, he

chose to go home where the Father was waiting to receive “a son” upon whom he

had bestowed so much, in whom he had invested more than he deserved, and for

whom he had sacrificed his all. This child who needed more grace was on his way

home and his Father “ran to meet him” - that is grace! Seeing an elderly man

running because he had been watching and hoping for his ‘son’ to come home is

grace personified. However more grace is yet to be poured out - a kiss, a hug, a

ring, a robe, a fatted calf, and a welcome home party for “my son who was dead is

now alive”. How great is that grace and how welcome that voice to a guilt ridden

conscious now overcome with humility and smothered with even more grace. For

us to hear, “neither do I condemn thee” and to recall (John 3:17) should remind us

that his mercy endures forever. Maybe you are blessed along with me to read

Psalms 32:2 and finally understand what David understood: More grace is available

because we need it.

Dr. Kenneth E. Morrison