What Are You Rich In?

When I think of riches, I think of money.  When you hear of someone being rich, what do you think that means?  Do you think, like me, that if someone is rich that they have a lot of money?  This is one way to be rich but it certainly isn’t the only way to be rich!  So, what are you rich in?

Last week, our church sign had this acronym on it:  G.R.A.C.E. which stands for God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.  Grace has various definitions in the Bible (please see Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Titus 2:11-12) but this definition pointedly reminds us that grace was not free to Jesus Christ.  Yes, grace is free to us for salvation from our sins but Christ had to give all so that we could have this wonderful free gift.  How could God give us grace?  One reason was because He is rich in mercy!  I love this phrase from Ephesians 2 which says that GOD IS RICH IN MERCY!

Ephesians 2:4-5 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved (NIV).

A simple definition of mercy is not getting what someone deserves.  If our perfect God is “rich in mercy,” shouldn’t we, as fallen, sinful humans be overflowing in mercy for others?  There isn’t one of us who has done everything correctly or even always had pure motives!  So, who will you be merciful to today?  Will you be known as one who is “rich in mercy”?

Associate Pastor Jason Baker