Me and Grace: Is There Any Chance They Go Together?

Yesterday, I posted about Joe Paterno, and I wrestled out loud about whether or not he deserves a second chance and about whether or not he deserves grace.  There was really an interesting discussion that happened through the comments of the blog.  As I thought more about the issue, the post, and the comments, I kept coming back to the same thing:  What about grace and me?  Do they go together?

I’m not in the national spotlight like Joe Paterno.  I haven’t been involved in something so devastating and dark.  But here’s the deal.  When it comes to God’s holiness, I fall way short of the mark.  I sin.  My thoughts aren’t always the best and neither are my actions.  I wrong others and God through my attitudes, my lack of response, and my general failures to get it right.  So if I’m honest, I have to ask if there’s grace for me?  Just like Joe Paterno, I need grace.

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”  Romans 3:23

Do I deserve grace?  Does Joe Paterno deserve grace?  I think the answer is actually no.  Grace is not earned or deserved.  Grace is given.  It’s an undeserved gift.  So when I ask the question “does Joe Paterno or Jon Stolpe deserve grace?” what I’m really trying to say is “would you be willing to give me (or Joe) a second chance despite my failings?”

  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

So what about you?  How does grace fit into your story?  Have you ever received grace from someone?  Have you had the chance to give someone a second chance?