What if God had made the same half-hearted mediocre effort in providing the gift of salvation that many of us make in saying thanks for it?
“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy to offer your whole beings as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” – (Romans 12:1)
One of the dangerous but all too human by-products of the Age of Grace is the attitude among some Christians that “I’ll do what I can without inconveniencing myself too much and the Lord will understand and make up the difference.” Some folks think a less-than-best effort on their part will be acceptable to God, Who forgives all things (including the indifference this attitude demonstrates). Others, more concerned about man’s opinion than God’s are afraid they’ll be accused of being on a “works trip” if they put forth their maximum capability.
True, we as humans could never have deserved the gift of salvation before the fact, and can never do enough to merit its benefits after the fact, that’s why it’s called a gift of grace. But does that justify our ambivalence to the incredible price our Lord paid to provide it without cost to us? Has God’s Grace produced a “take-it-for-granted” response from us? What if He had made the same half-hearted mediocre effort in providing the gift that many of us make in saying thanks for it?
I’ve been involved in organized religion for decades and am amazed at how little some in the body of Christ do to express their gratitude to the One who has rescued them from the coming wrath (1 Thes. 1:9-10). They come to Him with a “what have you done for me lately” attitude, informing Him of their current worldly wants and needs and expecting results, but expend precious little effort in conveying their gratitude even for the things He did for them yesterday, let alone the priceless and eternal gift He provided 2000 years ago.
