Disgusted by Grace? - USA Today comments and the Grace Gift Parking Tickets Parable

I've been following USA Today's comments about the Churches of the Treasure Valley giving away $10,000 to pay Parking Tickets in Boise, ID.

National news....Hmmm. 

Why? 

And more than that...why such negative comments like these, following the USA Today article:

• What a colossal waste of money. Rewarding people who have broken the law...very Christian-like. Have these morons never heard of food banks that don't have enough to feed the needy? What about the "Meals on Wheels" volunteers who are constantly looking for ways to feed elderly shut-ins? If needy PEOPLE aren't on their agenda, how about the animals shelters that are struggling to house all the animals from people who've lost their jobs and can no longer afford to keep them? This isn't a "Christian" act...it's the act of some seriously stupid and selfish people. They should ALL be ashamed, including the moochers who ask that their law-breaking be subsidized.
• Yep, that about sums it up for me, too. Idiots, the lot of them.
• Can't they get the same message out with sandwiches and hungry people?
• Funny how religious fervor seems to mimic insanity.
• I believe that's illegal. When the Domino's Pizza went to the Supreme Court for paying off their delivery drivers tickets they lost.

There are plenty more to read from folks all over the nation...people who are completely torqued off that parking ticket offenders are being helped.

What is it that so many of these readers and responders are feeling? Anger...no, not really. Frustration...maybe, but not fully. 

How about this statement: "That's not fair." Hmm...I think I'm closest there.

 

First shouldn't we examine what the Parable is about? C'mon, it's a "parable"...I mean it's called that, upfront.

Read what one USA Today person wrote, who apparently "gets it"?

"It is unfortunate that you two do not understand the concept of what these people are trying to do. So let me enlighten you just a little bit then maybe your hard hearts might open up and see the reality of this action.

This church is reaching out in love to those who did break the law, to those who are lost, in the hopes that their action will touch someone's life therefore leading them to Christ. This is an outreach to the lost. Could they have picked something else to do to help society, probably. But maybe God directed them to do this little bit. I would bet that by doing this little action of love and kindness that someone will be touched by the Holy Spirit and find salvation in Christ and their lives would be changed.

But what about you? Do you follow the law and obey the speed limit as directed? My guess is that you speed and break the law just as these people have. Do you go over the speed limit by 10 to 20 mph? I bet you do hoping to get to where you're going faster and really hoping that you don't get stopped for speeding.

But the point is you're a law breaker without regards for others on the road. Let the facts lay where they will. Before you throw stones look at your own heart and see where you stand. My guess is that you are in the middle of the pack as those that these people are reaching out too."

GRACE - as quoted recently by the noted theologian, Crystal Allen, is "Getting Riches At Christ's Expense."

We get it granted to us, we don't earn it...we CAN'T earn it, can we? What line do we cross that's "good enough"? What line did we retreat behind that was "bad enough" to lose it?

So, why is it that people do not want to be given something that they did not earn?

Ready or not, I think I might have it....

Could it be "pride"?

Think about it...we're told that our success is up to us. Self-made men/women and all that. And this world is made up of many people whose ultimate goal (their God?) is "success". 

Writers write: "If it's to be, it's up to me". People believe it.

Then that awkward thing called eternal life gets in the way. How do we get there? Oh, yeah, we die...but then where do we go? And what allows us to get "in" to Heaven?

That's where the core problem of the Grace Gift Parable seems to lift up its ugly little head...

We ONLY get there because of something that someone else did...in other words, NOTHING we EVER did on earth means ANYTHING for admission to Heaven. No kidding.

Nothing...

That "someone" who does the "something" is God, as Christ. He paid the ultimate "ticket" (it's called our bad DNA) and we enter into eternity with God via the shadow of Jesus' cross. Nothing else. Nothing.

All those other guys in the "God debate deal"? Yep, only Jesus.

And that pisses people off.

People all across the USA...and Canada...and Europe and...every where else.

They are disgusted by God's grace.

Hmm...

Where are you on this issue?

Den

Comments

[ron]

Is there a Colorado option? ha, ha, take care Dennis, grace is what it is all about. Ron