Testimony of Living

Over the past two Sunday's churches around the world came together organically and naturally without  talking to each other and all shared the same story.  What did they talk about?  How did this happen? The past two Sunday's churches everywhere talked about the 33 Chilean miners stuck inside the earth for 68 days and applied it to whatever their strongest point was.  For good reason too.  It's a power story captivating all who hear it!  It's a miraculous story of salvation portrays an amazing picture of Grace.

For 68 days, the miners were unable to do anything to save themselves.  As they sat in that dark pit, they were at the mercy of their friends above, without whom, it was impossible for them to survive.  They provided a consistent supply of food, water, medicine, items to bolster their faith, and even entertainment. (All metaphorical of God's Common Grace to all humanity.)  Ultimately, after 68 days, their lives were saved as they were pulled out of the depths of the earth to new life with a new perspective.  Their entire world had changed. (Again a metaphor of God's Special Grace that brings salvation.) Both types of Grace, are undeserved favor from God to his creation. They come from the hand of God and not the will of man, or more often, in spite of the will of man.

One of the miners said there was actually a 34th member on the team with them the whole time - Jesus Christ.  Those miners figured something out while they were down "in the pit" and we need to realize the same thing.  It is why we need to understand Grace today.

We need to have an accurate understanding of Grace because When you know Grace, you will see God. When grace is at work, you know God is at work.  When you are gracious it is because God has equipped you to be so.  Even more, grace is abundantly seen through God's common grace to all.  If someone tells me they do not see God - then they do not know grace.