Grace (part 4)

It has been eighteen years since the L.A. riots.  An African-American man named Rodney King had been arrested by police officers and during the arrest was beaten by them.  All of this was captured on videotape and used as evidence in a court trial against the arresting officers.  But even with the incriminating visual proof of abuse the officers were acquitted.  

That’s when all hell broke loose in Los Angeles and people began to riot in the streets.

 

Amidst the riot a thirty-three year old truck driver named Reginald Denny was minding his own business when he was pulled from his truck by angry young rioters and beaten almost to death.  This beating was also captured on video and used in court proceedings against the young rioters.  And yet the rioters were set free!  How is this possible?  Its possible because Reginald Denny is a citizen of God’s Kingdom and had the grace within himself to forgive his assailants.  Later he went on Phil Donahue and the talk show host just shook his head in disbelief.  “These men tried to murder you Mr. Denny!” 

That sounds very familiar.  Like a dying man on a cross uttering the words “Father, forgive them…”  It has been said that to forgive is divine.  This is true.  But my theology says that we have been indwelled with the divine.  Should Reginald Denny be some kind of freak extreme of how far a human being can go to show grace?  Or should his example be the norm?  

Everything about God’s grace is a gift.  His unmerited favor in accepting us no matter where we’ve been or what we’ve done is a gift.  When the grace he pours into us is allowed to flow out of us, it is still God’s gift.  We may choose to let it flow, and our decision and our will are imperative.   But ultimately the power to show grace comes from the one who put that grace into us.  And isn’t it amazing that when we are able to show grace, and forgiveness, that it always brings some measure of healing and peace to our own souls?  Grace is a wonderful gift.  It is quite simply --- amazing!