We often hear people talk about luck as an intervening force. Luck is the language of the world and not scriptural. What we term as LUCK is rather God’s GRACE. Luck comes by chance but grace comes by God’s purpose. Luck cannot intervene in God’s plan but God’s grace can intervene in all things. Grace is God’s intervening gift which enables him to fulfill his plan for our lives.
The good occurrences in our lives do not come by accident or by luck but by God’s design. Ephesians 2: 8 says for by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God. Every intervention we receive whether solicited for or not, comes from God by the GIFT of GRACE not by luck. Psalms 12: 14 says my help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
What is God’s grace?
It is God’s undeserved favour unto us earned freely and not by works. It is part of God’s character hence grace bestows blessings, peace and favour against the odds of life. It restrains God’s anger against us whilst unleashing his unlimited and unrestrained unconditional love upon us without reference to who or what or how we are. It is always sufficient to each and every need if we appropriate it.
Genesis 6: 8 says Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Noah escaped the flood not merely upon his obedience to God to construct the ark but God’s grace which enabled him to listen and to obey in humility. He did not work for it but found it as an intervening gift. Proverbs 4: 9 says she shall give to your head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall he deliver thee. So grace is for our deliverance.
What is the origin of grace?
Grace is part of God’s character therefore it originates from God. John 1: 17 says for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Christ Jesus is mentioned because God has given him all authority in heaven and earth to exercise his power.
Matthew 28:18 says all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. He said in Luke 4:6 to you I will give all this authority and their glory; for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. Therefore in Jesus rests the authority of grace and the glory it bestows on us. Luck has no authority either to intervene or to bestow anything.
What is the character of grace?
Grace perfects all things because it enables God’s presence with us. James 1: 17 says every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. This shows that grace comes from God above not luck as luck doesn’t come from above.
It is a perfect gift hence it perfects all things and circumstances or situations as if they are without blemish. It throws light into our shadows of darkness to save us from evil or harm or danger unto blessings and protection. It is freely given to every one without any conditions. It intervenes in our affairs without reference to our deeds but God’s mercy and love. It does not change as God’s light.
Why does God give us grace?
Grace compensates for us where we have fallen short of the laws of God. This was because all the law operated at the same time and they were equally enforceable.
What were the laws?
Biblical scholars confirm that there are 613 Commandments extracted from the Old Testament alone. The New Testament has a total of 1,050 Commands. However, some biblical scholars opine that there are rather 684 commands in the New Testament. It presupposes that there are a minimum of 1,297 combined commands to be compiled from the Old and New Testaments. Naturally, no person, however assiduous he or she may be, can obey all these laws to the letter.
Interpreting the law
To compound this challenge of compliance James 2: 10-11 say whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, do not commit adultery, said also, do not kill. Now if you commit no adultery, yet if you kill, you have become a trespasser of the law. This implies that we will forever be guilty of the commands or instructions of God with grave consequences.
The complement of grace
Therefore grace comes in to mitigate our weaknesses and consequent punishment including eternal condemnation and death as outcasts and enemies of God. Grace treats us as if we have complied with all the laws as required. Grace covers our sins and enables us to do better, at least. 2 Corinthians 12: 9 says my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
God’s grace shows and reminds us of his love, mercy and not wishing that any of us would die without grace. His grace resides in the blood of Christ Jesus which emanates from his throne above. 2 Peter 3: 9 says the Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. Even for children, Jesus said in Matthew 18: 14 it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Do we accept and appreciate God’s grace rather than luck for our lives and our neighbours?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for your grace and not luck which you have made possible to support us always. You know our weaknesses and our strengths better than we can ever know. Please continue to let your mercy find us in all our endeavours and wherever we are. Let your grace lead us unto repentance and righteousness all the days of our lives. Let your grace cover our families, loved ones and neighbours so we may with one accord honour and thank you for who you are. Wash our sins in your blood because of your grace in your holy name, Amen!!
