pardon or parole

"My deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ and I have done nothing to earn it or deserve it."
Brennan Manning

"it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast"
Ephesians 2:8-9

Many men struggle to accept their full forgiveness in Christ. Grace is such a humbling concept that it’s hard to get it into the marrow of our spiritual bones. It can be hard to enjoy the gift. This is never more true than when we struggle with sin after we come to faith.

It’s hard to believe that God’s grace is truly free. Hard to believe we don’t have to pay him back. Hard to believe that we stay in the kingdom by grace and not by works. Hard to believe his grace is for us.

So many men are stuck in the rehearsed speech of the prodigal son and still feel awkward at the table of grace.

"Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."

Many men are still trying to pay the father back for their years of rebellion and sin. Many men are still trying to be worthy. Many see themselves as servants, not sons. 

In a recent prayer meeting, Sam Gibson said a one-liner that has haunted me all week.

"Thank you, God, that we are pardoned and not paroled."

He was referencing the invitation God gives in Isaiah 55. 

"Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon."

Full pardon. Free pardon. What a concept.

I think a lot of men feel like they are on parole in the kingdom of God. They have to be good or they will be sentenced back to shame and sin and condemnation. They have to stay out of trouble long enough to show they have truly changed; they have to stay within close proximity to morality to prove they are fit to live in a kingdom of love. 

Men like this will live from half their hearts. They will never be free. Free to love, free to risk, free to give themselves away. 

Richard Lovelace reminds us that, "Christians who are no longer sure that God loves and accepts them in Jesus, apart from their present spiritual achievements, are subconsciously radically insecure persons."

Just as your salvation was secured by grace, your sanctification is powered by grace. Your security is in him. You don’t have to earn your way to him. You don’t have to pay God back. You don’t have to live with shame in the servants’ quarters of your father’s house.

I want to remind you today of the beauty and power of the gospel. I want to remind you of what has been accomplished for you. I want to remind you of who you truly are.

Jesus has made a full atonement for your sin; not cosigned a loan that you pay back.

Christ died to bring you to God, not give you the chance to earn your way home.

Jesus became sin so we can become righteousness, not "give us a chance to change." 

Prayer is not checking in with your parole officer to tell him how good you have been this week.

Prayer is not proof that you are staying out of trouble. 

Prayer is not a reminder of what you have to do.

Prayer is where we go to get grace, not earn it.

Hebrews 4:16 reminds us,

"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

You are united with Christ.

Your pardon is full and free because of what he has done.

Grace is better than you think.

Go to him for more. 

You are not on parole; you are pardoned.

You can live from a free heart and enjoy your forgiveness.

You have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. He has made the full atonement for your sin.

Brothers, the fattened calf is ready; there is a place at the table with your name on it.

I don’t know about you, but I am having seconds.

I am going to enjoy celebrating in the Father’s house.

You are not on parole; you are forgiven and loved.

It’s time to feast.

Thanks for reading.

Cheers.

Jon.