All of Grace

I am enjoying my study of Ruth for preaching on Sunday evenings. In the second chapter Ruth begs a very important question before Boaz, "Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?" (2:10). Boaz answers her and it seems that he is setting her up as an employee of God who has gotten her due, "All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. 12 The LORD repay you for what you have done,” (2:11-12a). However, at the end of his answer grace comes pouring out to explain why she has done what she has and why she has found favor, “ and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!" (2:12b). The gods of Moab are not like the true and living God. God has stretched out his wings to this woman whom he has called so that she can find grace as one who is humble and in need (1:16). And because by grace He is her refuge and strength she not only experiences grace she can be a conduit of grace to others in need. God does not repay anyone for anything they have done, but only makes it known that grace begins the relationship and grace extends the relationship and grace makes for God glorifying relationships. A God glorifying relationship with Him in love is by His grace, and a God glorifying extension of that love toward our neighbors is by His grace.

But it does not matter how beautiful and true this picture is of God’s grace is there will always be those who offer themselves to God and expect to get their due. Tracy Altman recently led me to an article in First Things that makes this point clear. In the article the question is asked, "Is Mormonism Christian?". A Mormon and a Christian respond with opposite answers to the question. The Mormon spends most of his time trying to ward off the charge that Mormons believe in salvation by works, not grace, and then he says this,

"Nonetheless, salvation in our view is not obtained without effort on the part of the sinner. 'Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven' (Matt. 7:21). Grace requires a price to be paid and that price is the heart of the sinner."

It does not seem to matter what cloak works righteousness dresses in it cannot admit the obvious, grace, all of grace. Whether the cloak is red with a gold RC, a black cloak bearing the white P from later 19th century revivalism that gave rise to the white cloak worn under the black tie with the letter M, the cloak will always seek to exalt itself over the towel that bears the muddied letter G and that gets hung on a cross each night.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:8-10