IT’S GRACE, NOT NINE LIVES

(7-minute read)

IResearchers conduct studies to understand the likelihood of an outcome as a result of something happening or present. Risk assessment methodologies also rate risks based on the likelihood of a negative situation occurring after mitigating steps are put in place. What then is the likelihood of a person turning out well after over ten incarcerations, surviving a suicide attempt with a substantial overdose of rat poison and sleeping pills, and being trapped for more than three hours in a large kitchen equipment that could have cut him into two parts? The statistical probability of surviving the risks would certainly be 0. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 sums up God’s Hand on Caleb Tan’s life, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” It is easy for believers to confuse God’s grace for His approval when they are clearly living in sin. We can mistake things - including questionable choices and relationships - going well for us to imply that they are right for us. People also attribute good outcomes to their intrinsic moral goodness, to karma, to their exceptional skills and intelligence, to blessed fortuity, and even to God’s permissiveness in tolerating sin and risky behaviour.    

This is especially true for people with high-risk behaviour who live without regard for how their loved ones are impacted. They take pride in their ability to calculate, predict and work around the odds in life when in fact, the lucky stroke or star that they think is on their side is actually God’s grace because their loved ones are praying for them. Caleb’s risky behaviour was one that had a high probability of ending in drug overdose or being wasted and living alone, yet this once active drug supplier is now an active servant of the Lord. He has even remarried to a woman named (what else, but only) Grace. 

David penned this Psalm when he faced his fair share of troubles. Imagine the heartache when even his own son, Absolom, plotted to kill him. “O Lord, I give my life to You. I trust in You, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. No one who trusts in You will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others. Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You. Remember, O Lord, Your compassion and unfailing love, which You have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of Your unfailing love, for You are merciful, O Lord. (Psalm 25:1-7).

From these verses, we can learn from David three life postures that make the incredible and amazing grace of God available to those who turn to Him. We can be sure that the probability of finding God’s grace when we adopt these postures is 1 (or absolute)!

Posture 1: A LIFE OF SURRENDER

Whether people surrender in battle or to the authorities, they give up their personal safety and give themselves over to official custody. Likewise, when we surrender to God, we turn over our defense mechanisms and self-serving interests to Him. As Jesus prayed before He faced the Cross, “Father…not My will but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42). 

We can expect healthy development and spiritual growth when we make it a habit to surrender to God as a first response instead of turning to Him only when things come to a head or end up in a tangled mess. Whether we are dealing with a prolonged personal crisis, relational conflicts, the fear of being alone, or facing a time of stressful and uncertain transition, it is tempting to take control of every step and every narrative, and then ask God to be our co-pilot. It is ultimately more rewarding to surrender the entire ship and maneuver to God, and trust that He has a far superior plan than anything we can conceive. So, it is better to step back and let Him step in. 

It is also important to know that we cannot live perennially on God’s grace alone, and ignore the ruminations that run on a constant loop in our minds and our emotions. Surrender them all to the Lord right now.

As King David had cried out, “O Lord, I give my life to You. I trust in You, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. No one who trusts in You will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.” (Psalm 25:1-3 recap).

The greater our surrender, the deeper our intimacy with God, and the greater our power to do God’s will and find the fulfilment of His promises. In the process, we will also experience personal renewal!

“It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20a NLT).

Posture 2: A LIFE OF LEARNING

We often equate spiritual learning with attending structured programmes in church when in reality, much of our learning involves an openness to allow the Word of God to change how we live, reason and build relationships. David’s surrendered life engendered a deep and insatiable hunger for more of God’s involvement, greater obedience to Him and a sensitivity to His direction and teaching. 

Notice that David never asked God for His opinion, suggestion or recommendation: he asked God for directions, and would have no alternatives but to follow Him. “Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.” (Psalm 25:4-5 recap).

Those who are committed to continuous learning and growth inspire others to keep learning and evolving as God reveals His truth about them and about Himself. Similarly, the apostle Paul’s willingness to put God’s Word into practice made him very relatable to others. 

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9)

Posture 3: A LIFE OF GRATITUDE

Gratitude fosters a heart that never forgets what the Lord has done for us. God is not a one-hit wonder. He is a Promise-keeper and as long as we believe in His promises, He will deliver on them - in different ways to show that He is indeed the Author and Finisher of our faith.  

In his prayers, David often reminded himself of God’s goodness. ‘Remember, Lord, Your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to Your love remember me, for You, Lord, are good.’ (Psalm 25:6-7 recap).

Let’s be honest: speaking words of gratitude does not come naturally to many of us (even to those who are gifted speakers), so it is worthwhile to make it a habit to write letters of gratitude to God in our prayer time.

People might have escaped danger and recovered from difficult circumstances over and over again, but it is eternal life, and not nine lives, that testifies to their faith in God. Living by God’s grace alone leaves us in a precarious condition when the storms come and we find that we have not allowed His truth to bring the necessary course corrections that enable us to withstand the storms. God has designed a unique trajectory for each of us and He will sustain us in order to fulfill His purpose.

This is a summary and reflection based on a virtual BeInReach Session held on 17 August 2024.