Connecting Point: The Answer for Broken People

Gimmicks abound all around us, allowing a few people to claim to know everything. One can search the Internet regarding almost any HOW TO, and it will produce a list of apps desiring your next click. The Internet has changed the world of advertising in the USA. You have to be careful, however. Some results are schemes.

That is part of our broken world, a world full of broken people. Tragedy is found around many corners; a person sadly takes their own life, someone dies or is seriously injured in a vehicle accident, and another receives the fearful news of cancer. With all the brokenness people encounter, the Bible reassures us of an answer, the very grace of God. This isn’t one of those fluffy “it’s going to be fine” answers or hollow promises that life will be all roses. God’s Word clearly tells us that life is full of tribulation and trouble; however, we can find peace and grace through Jesus. The following are some assurances:

One, everyone is in need of God’s grace. The Bible is consistent. God sees us all as equals; it doesn’t matter if you’re the preacher or a parishioner, the town addict or a quiet housewife, the US President or a kindergarten student. God doesn’t play favorites. As Romans 3:23 states: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Favoritism or nepotism rules in the hearts of people, certainly in the political arenas of our time. No matter our family background, ethnicity or birth country, God looks at us through the same lens.

Second, grace is a free gift from God. Atheists and agnostics insist that Christianity is entirely made up by man. This isn’t so, the Gospel is exclusively God’s idea. Although each of us has sinned or does sin, Romans again provides a quality answer that Christians often provide. We can be: “Justified freely by his grace through redemption that comes by Jesus Christ,” (3:24).

Finally, a roadblock to faith in Jesus includes the struggle to receive God’s grace freely. Because of our sinfulness, we somehow see ourselves as less valuable to God. But Christians again point out that the Bible even has a soothing landing for this line of fear and resentment. The sins of the past only seem to keep God’s grace from our reach. Take for example Psalm 85:2: “You forgave the guilt of your people. Yes, you covered all their sins”; Psalm 86:5: “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you”; or Psalm 103:12: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” The Good News helps us to understand we don’t need to work for our salvation. God grants us forgiveness when we repent and seek his mercy.

Although we live in a broken world and are all broken people, our answer is found in God’s grace. The Gospel of Grace isn’t a gimmick. Lovingly, the Bible teaches us to practice extending grace to others. Doing so aids in healing the brokenness we face. I leave you with a suggestion. Practice giving others grace instead of focusing on their faults. This is, in fact, how God sees us, through Christ when we know him to be our Savior.