Testing The Limits Of Grace

By: Debra Lynn Birner

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" Ephesians 2:8

The grace period – I remember when I was young and newly married, we applied for a loan.  The lender explained to us that we would receive a payment book in the mail (long before internet!).  He carefully explained to us that the payment coupons (that you would mail in with your payment) would show the amount due and the “due date.”  It would also show the amount of the late fee if the payment was received more than five days past the due date.  What was that five-day period?  That was the grace period.

This lender was very kind to take the time to explain to some young, inexperienced borrowers that the payment was considered “late” during that five-day period.  Just because we didn’t have to pay a penalty for the lateness, the payment was still late and would adversely affect our credit.  It was important that the payment be received by the lender before the due date, even though we had five days of grace before we would be assessed a late fee.

Over the years, I would hear other people talking about how they were only one day late on a payment and had to pay an exorbitant late fee.  They sent their payments in testing the limits of grace.  They weren’t really only one day late.  They were, in reality, six days late.  In their mind, the payment wasn’t due unless they were penalized.

It seems that people get so accustomed to the grace period that they are always testing the limits and take it for granted, and miss the value of it.

God offers us grace.  Because of His grace, all of my sin is covered.  All.  Even the sin I will commit in the future. 

But, like that little payment book, even though I could wait another five days to make my payment – perhaps allowing me to spend a little more this paycheck on fun and use the next paycheck for that loan payment – even though, I could do that without penalty, that left me no safety net for unforeseen circumstances.  If the mail ran late, or somehow I truly couldn’t get the check written because I had some real emergency, or any other event that I could not foresee – by getting my check in the mail much in advance of the true due date, I didn’t have to test the limits of the grace period.

In my Christian life, I could choose to do things that may be more convenient at times than following the steps I believe God would have me to take.  I may not “plan” to fall into sin.  I could get a little closer to that sin line.  I know that, should I fall into sin that God’s grace will forgive me because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.  But I don’t want to test the limits of God’s grace.  I don’t want to risk the consequences of my sin.  I don’t want to be anywhere close to that line of disobedience that may cost me a "penalty."  

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" Romans 6:1-2

I have seen some of the penalties others have paid.  If they missed their credit card payment or their car payment by one day because they played around with the grace offered, they were they ones that had to come up with an extra $50.00 that paycheck!

I have also seen others play around with the grace of God.  Yes, they are saved.  Yes, they can never lose their salvation.  But the “penalty” for their sin is still obvious.  Much like the one that makes their payment during the grace period will not have to pay the late fee, they have still damaged their credit. 

One will not lose their salvation if they are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ, however, not only can they damage their reputation, they often have broken marriages, lost children, financial ruin, and sin runs rampant in their lives.  You see, one missed payment often leads to another.  And one sin often leads to many other sins.

"For sin shall not have dominion over you:for ye are not under the law, but under grace." Romans 6:14

Don’t test the limits of God’s grace.  Let’s soar to heights unknown because His grace did cover it all and sets us free from a life in bondage to sin.