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Feb 03, 2025 06:00am
We All Need His Grace
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I looked at the computer screen to see the time he walked in.

8:35.

Again.

Almost every day, he came in late. It was time for something to be done. I marched into the boss’s office and asked, “Don’t we have a policy about being late?”

“We do.”

“Don’t you think something needs to be done about those who ignore that policy and waltz in here whenever they get around to it?”

“I do.”

“Well, good then. I agree.”

I left, chin held high, proud that something would be done.

The next day, I parked in the garage after searching for a space on 4 levels. I gathered my computer bag, purse, McDonald’s bag, and Coke, which I had just grabbed. I scanned my card, opened the door, and went to my office.

A memo was waiting for me on my desk.

Company-wide mandatory meeting at 8:15 am in the conference room.

I set my stuff down and checked my watch.

8:10.

Ooh, I’d better hurry.

I scurried down the hall and slid into a spot open on the back wall.

The buzz around the room faded off, and our boss approached the podium at the front.

“As many of you know, we’ve been a little lenient on our policies about start time. We put a lot of trust in our people to be here when they are supposed to, to make up for the time when they’ve been late, and to hold themselves accountable.”

Nods came from around the room, and I was one of them.

“But it’s been brought to my attention that it’s time we enforced that policy.”

Again, I sternly nodded my head. It was ridiculous the way people just came in whenever they felt like it. Sometimes they were 45 minutes late!

“From now on, tickets will be issued for the amount of time you are late. Tickets that will be charged to your paycheck.”

Wow. What a bold move. Good for him.

“To show our appreciation for those concerned about the integrity of our leadership and the rules, we’d like to hand out our first set of tickets publicly.”

Ha! I chuckled to myself. Finally, those who took such liberties were going to get into trouble. And right here in front of everyone.

And then, they called my name.

“Please come receive the first ticket for your daily tardiness. Our records show you have been late nearly every day for the last two years. Congratulations and thank you for your re-investment into the company.”

But I had only been a little late, like 5 minutes, maybe 10 occasionally. For example, when I had to stop for gas or breakfast, got stuck in traffic, or couldn’t get into the parking garage. Not like this other guy – he was always late for who knows what!

How unfair!

Or was it?

Have you been there? While most of this is a fictional story, it rings true in our minds, doesn’t it?

Romans 2:1-11 NLT

“You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.
2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things.
3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?
4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
5 But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done.
7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.
8 But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness.
9 There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.
10 But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.
11 For God does not show favoritism.”

Sin is sin. Big or small. A little disobedience is just as bad as a lot of disobedience. The Jews looked to their ancestors as their ticket to righteousness. They claimed they followed the law because they went through the rituals, but did they follow ALL of the law? They were just as guilty as the gentiles.

And they would be judged just the same.

In the first chapter of Romans, Paul shares about God’s righteous anger at sin. And then, in this chapter, he lays out God’s judgment of sin…for all of us.

Can you imagine the Jewish people when Paul pretty much said, “But you are guilty too!”?

It’s easy for us to point out other people’s sins, but what about our own? That story you shared wasn’t just to “let them know”; it was probably gossip. The money you didn’t claim on your taxes, the numbers you fudged on the report, the “5 miles over the speed limit is okay” speech you gave yourself, even the moments where you’re doing something for show but calling it righteousness because it’s “for the Lord”…

We are all sinners: the good, the bad, the ugly. None of us are able to say we are perfect. And none of us can save ourselves from God’s wrath and the promised righteous judgment.

So, what then? Is there no hope? Like we said last week, God doesn’t leave us there! He made a way through the beautiful gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. We need His grace—God’s beautiful, unconditional, loving grace.

I need it! You need it! And that’s why Jesus came to this earth. That’s why He left His throne in Heaven. He came so that we could be saved from the judgment of God.

But we have to accept His offer of grace. Have you done that?

If you want to know more about what that looks like and how to walk with Jesus daily, I’d love to show you. Go to follow.lifeword.org. Learn of the beautiful grace of God that’s been made available to ALL of us.

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