(Read Luke 15)
If anyone knows the beauty of grace, it’s the people who we might think deserve it the least. Don’t get me wrong, none of us do, but, in simple A, B, C human terms, David, Peter, and Paul certainly come to mind. King David had multiple wives, which was allowed although not favored by God. During the time when kings normally went to war, David remained in Jerusalem; he lusted after Bathsheba, who was bathing in the open. She was married too. Bathsheba got pregnant, and to cover it up, David had her loyal husband, Uriah the Hittite, moved to the front lines in battle, where he was subsequently killed. Uriah, a foreigner, showed more integrity and loyalty than David, the king of Israel. This made David’s sin even more heinous—he murdered a faithful, honorable man to cover up his own adultery.
Peter was an impulsive hothead. In the Gospels, we don’t see a pretty picture of a model follower of Jesus. He was brash in his dealings with others, often allowing his ego to decide his path. Jesus corrected him on many occasions about his stubbornness and misguided self-importance. When uncomfortable with a situation, Peter impulsively blurted the first thought that came to mind. “Even if all fall away, I will not” (Matthew 26:33.) In Matthew 16, Peter rebuked Jesus upon the revelation that Jesus would suffer and die, whereby Jesus replied, “Get behind me, Satan!” The worst betrayal, though, which we have all done in one form or another, is denying Jesus. Peter denied he knew or had anything to do with Jesus three different times on one occasion—hardly a model disciple.
Then we have Paul (Saul). Arguably, the most unlikely and unforeseen apostle of any. While not one of the original twelve, he secured his spot in Christian history in a variety of ways. Paul was a Jew’s-Jew. He was probably a member of the Jewish leadership council known as the Sanhedrin. Paul was widely known in first-century Judea for his threats, attacks, and persecutions of Christians. While he may not have personally executed people, Saul “approved of” Stephen’s execution. He was present and consented when Stephen was stoned to death. He “held the coats” of those who stoned Stephen, indicating his active participation in the process, showing his complicity in and support of the murder. In Acts 8, it reads, “Saul began to destroy the church. Going house to house, dragging men and women to prison.” Later in Acts, Paul admitted, “‘I put many of the Lord’s people in prison… and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.’”
What was God’s reaction to these people?
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2
This passage, one of my favorites in the Bible, speaks of God’s grace. The Greek word Paul used for “condemnation” was katakrima, meaning judicial sentence—a verdict of guilt. Paul wasn’t mincing words in his letter to the Roman church about our new position in relationship to our deserved sentence. It was “complete absence,” not “less condemnation,” but absolutely none. The key qualifier is, “For those who are in Christ Jesus.” For a guy who terrorized Christians, it’s remarkable that Paul used the phrase ‘in Christ’ 164 times in his letters. Paul, who once deserved condemnation more than most, became the apostle who most clearly articulated our freedom from it.
One thing that gets misinterpreted by some is that this grace isn’t a free-for-all gift. Whether you buy or receive a gift, someone needs to pay for it. As Tim Keller said, “We’ll see that grace is a gift that is also indispensable and infinitely costly—and, if you see the indispensability and the costliness of God’s grace, it will come into your life as traumatic tranquility.”
David received grace that cost God everything but cost David nothing except repentance. That’s the beauty of it—the “infinitely costly” gift that transforms lives was available even to Old Testament saints because God was willing to pay that future price.
I believe David was set free from the ‘law of sin and death,’ even though he lived long before Christ’s incarnation. Though David experienced painful consequences for his sins—the death of his child, ongoing family conflict, and public shame—Psalm 51 reveals his repentant heart and his assurance of God’s grace. He faced discipline as a son, not condemnation as a criminal.
“Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.”
Psalm 51:1-2
Most importantly, David retained a close and ongoing relationship with God. This covenant demonstrated God’s enduring commitment to David and his lineage, through which the Messiah would eventually come. David, a key ancestor of Christ, was central to prophecies foretelling a saving king from his lineage. Old Testament believers found salvation secured by Christ’s future work, experiencing God’s forgiveness and covenant faithfulness in their own era.
This same costly grace transformed the New Testament apostles in equally dramatic ways. Peter was instrumental in building the early church, bringing thousands to believe in Christ. He became a gifted speaker, suffered dramatically in the name of Jesus, and wrote letters that are fundamental parts of the New Testament. Paul had the most Hollywood-like transformation. Like a Marvel movie, he was brought to his knees by his arch enemy when he least expected it. Blinded by a brilliant light from the very Christ he despised, Paul was on his way to Damascus to persecute more Christians when Jesus knocked him to the ground.
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Luke 15:11-13; 20b-22
The younger son’s demand for his inheritance while his father was still alive was essentially wishing him dead—a shocking insult in ancient culture. Yet the father surprisingly grants the request, demonstrating love that transcends normal expectations. The son’s departure to a “distant country” represents both physical and spiritual separation from his family and God.
When the son returns, the father’s response reveals the heart of divine grace. Seeing him “still a long way off,” the father runs to embrace him, abandoning social dignity in his eagerness to restore the relationship. Before the son can complete his confession, the father calls for the best robe, ring, and sandals—symbols of full restoration, not gradual rebuilding of trust. This demonstrates that God’s grace isn’t measured or conditional but immediate and overwhelming, responding to repentant sinners with celebration and complete restoration to sonship rather than probationary acceptance.
The two sons represent us. Both fallen and riddled with sin, envy, want, desire, and other sinful tendencies. On the surface, the younger son appears to be the bigger sinner, demanding wealth he didn’t deserve at a time he wasn’t supposed to receive it, abandoning his family for his own pleasure. The older son, while a dutiful worker, was only showing outward allegiance to his family and was selfishly jealous of the grace his brother received upon repentance. The father reminds him that his standing was never in question, and his inheritance was never threatened by his brother’s return. Yet the father gently corrects his son’s perspective, showing that the elder son has misunderstood both his position and his father’s heart.
“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
Luke 15:31-32
Grace and love are very similar yet theologically distinct. The father demonstrates that grace flows from unconditional love and security. I’ve heard many tell me God is love. Yes He is! We love our family and friends too. But God loved us when we were sinners before we were even born. We can’t say the same thing about our children or siblings.
Love in the parable is seen in the father’s heart. Love is the motivation; grace is the action. Grace is love responding to specific need and unworthiness. When the younger son returns, grace is the father running to meet him, the immediate restoration of status, and the celebration feast. Grace is love in action toward someone who has forfeited the right to that love. Love explains why the father never stopped caring, and grace explains why he gave more than the son deserved or requested.
Grace and Love:
The two are ultimately inseparable. But the idea of grace, to me, forms the greatest expression of God’s love because of what it encompasses. Grace, for me, brings love into the story of the Gospel while properly accounting for justice. God is equal parts love and justice, which is why sin so separates us from him. To speak only of, or even to solely introduce God as, love is to facilitate an ego-Christianity that sees God only for the benefits He brings us.
Without the proper understanding of grace, John 3:16 holds no real meaning to us. Or, it holds a weakened meaning. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son…” is not only nonsensical to the thinking non-believer, it’s a bad plan altogether. Why would an all-powerful god allow such a situation in the first place? Why is “sending his son” such evidence of love? Why not simply forgive and forget? These are questions met with dismal answers without mention of grace.
Antwuan Malone —
Ministry Director at ELEVATE Young Adult Ministry (elevateministry.net)
Key Application:
- While Jesus may not use ‘grace’ as a theological term frequently, his entire ministry demonstrates grace in action. His ministry and parables consistently show God’s unmerited favor, forgiveness, and love toward humanity—people who desperately need it but don’t deserve it—which is the very essence of grace. Grace isn’t just something we receive; it’s something we’re called to extend to others. Have you shown grace to anyone lately? What can you do differently to reflect the grace you’ve received?”