Grace: Where Did That Come From?

The desire to see justice done seems to be a universal trait. When a crime is committed the victims or those close to them are often not satisfied until the punishment handed down by the courts is seen to fit the crime. More than 70 years since the end of World War Two there are those still seeking to bring officials associated with the Nazi death camps to trial.

‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth’ is still the cry of many. Child molesters, murderers, and rapists are examples of criminals some would still like to see face the death sentence. All cultures have their own way of meting out justice, whether it be through the courts, payback systems or honour killings. It seems retributive justice in one form or another is as old as the human race.

Compare this very human trait with the idea of grace, or mercy, as understood in Christianity. Grace, understood as unmerited favour, is not only at the core of Christianity, it is unique to it. Grace says that regardless of what we have done, no matter how vile we are, God seeks us out, offering forgiveness and redemption. Hitler, Stalin, Osama bin Laden, no one is beyond God's forgiveness if they are willing to accept it. Further, Grace recognises there is nothing we can do to make up for our wrongdoing other than respond to God's love.

This idea seems so alien to our nature. Yet the theme of grace runs throughout the Bible from the very first chapters to the very last. Many of the Bible's great characters are presented as flawed individuals, some as very flawed. There is no attempt to cover up their failings. They are ‘heroes‘ not because of their moral uprightness, but because they responded to God’s grace.

So where did this idea come from? An ancient sage, philosopher or teacher? How did something so alien to our nature get a following? Maybe the fact it is so alien to our nature is the clue. Humanity did not come up with the idea. Rather, it came from outside us, from a God that offers us His grace.

In my view Christianity is not a blind, unreasoned faith. It is based on logic and reason. And one of the strongest arguments for me is the argument of grace.