by Joanie Butman
Much to my surprise, I received an email this week with the subject line, “YOU’RE IN!” It was an acceptance notice from a group called Honor Society. You can’t appreciate the humor and irony unless you’re aware of my less than stellar academic/athletic career. Who fails GYM? I’ve been married 30 years, and my husband’s still trying to pry out my SAT scores. As a blogger, most people think I’m an open book; but just for the record, I’m not a fan of full disclosure. Those scores are going to the grave with me.
Today more than ever, people are tempted to determine their worth by a number. The number on the scale, test scores, salaries, likes, friends, followers. I’ve often wondered why Bob was so curious about my SAT scores. Would they change his opinion of me? Maybe, maybe not. What is more revealing is my refusal to disclose them. Somehow, I must think my scores, which I can only vaguely recall because they weren’t memorable, are a reflection of something I’d rather he not see. That at some level I didn’t make the grade - literally.
Fortunately, God doesn’t view us in this way. “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” First of all, we can’t hide anything from God. He already knows my scores and ones far more important than the SATs; and believe me, exceedingly worse. Thankfully though, because of God’s grace, those scores won’t go to the grave with me. By accepting Him as my Lord and Savior, Christ has given me a scholarship that ensures my entrance into Heaven and pays any debt on my behalf. This is one instance where it may sound too good to be true, but that’s exactly what’s so amazing about grace.
Conversely, the Honor Society solicitation is an excellent analogy for ‘Cheap Grace.’ A too-good-to-be-true transaction that can’t deliver on its promises. It reminds me of the practice of indulgences prior to the reformation. Those that could afford it, paid the church for forgiveness of sins – which were assigned a monetary value depending on their severity. Similarly, I could pay to become a member of Honor Society, complete with graduation regalia such as honor cords, stoles and medals. Yet they would be meaningless because I didn’t earn them.
What I have earned is a one-way ticket – and not to paradise! Blessedly, Christ intervenes and pays for my passage home. If you’re getting a failing grade in life (and I don’t know anyone who isn’t in some area, God’s grace is offered freely – a divine invitation to the ultimate Honor Society.
The promotion that arrived in my inbox closed with the following statement, “Honor Society is a lifetime network, built to help you succeed. Your satisfaction as a member is our highest priority and guaranteed.” The same could be said for Christ’s family of believers. We won’t need to don anything but Christ’s robe of righteousness on our graduation day. As for the honors, they’re all His. To him be the glory forever! (Romans 11:36)
Finally, I missed the deadline to join Honor Society, but Christ’s offer is new every morning if you choose to accept it. Choose Wisely!
