Common, Restraining Grace

I was sitting in a frustrating traffic jam the other day, where construction had closed off most of the lanes on the highway, and everyone had to merge into a single file of cars.

People were actually submitting to the traffic laws and signs around them! No one was shooting at each other or using their vehicles as a weapon to ram into other cars. There was order and restraint. The world, despite being deeply broken, was still operating with some level of sanity.

It was a powerful display of the restraining grace of God. Why? Because driving each automobile was a selfish, self-focused, self-oriented, sinful human being who believes that the world should revolve around them, that their need is most important, and that they should get to their destination first.

Yet for the most part, everyone was courteously allowing the next person in front of them to merge.

Each driver was not a redeemed child of God, motivated by the Holy Spirit in that moment to love their neighbor. Rather, God, in the generous grandeur of his grace, restrains the sin in the world so it does not reach the level of horror that it potentially could without his restraining grace.

Similarly, God “makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45).

God not only blesses those who are close to him, but also those who are in rebellion against his law. God is a God of such incredible love, kindness, patience, and mercy that he lavishes his goodness on everybody.

God is gloriously gracious, and there is an agenda of grace every day in our world that makes this world not only livable, but enjoyable and pleasurable.

May we be grateful for the restraining grace that prevents the world from becoming as chaotic as it should be. May we celebrate common grace that shines and rains on every undeserving sinner.

But most of all, may we seek redeeming grace. May we cry out for transforming, redeeming grace in our own hearts and lives. And may we look for every opportunity to participate in and share the Good News of redeeming grace with our lost and broken world, even as we experience the blessings of restraining and common grace every day.

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him.” (Ephesians 1:7–10)

It is a beautiful thing,
but most people don’t
see it.
It is a never-ceasing gift,
yet most of us don’t respond
with gratitude.
It is essential to our well-being,
but we cling to the delusion of
our self-sufficiency.
The order,
livability,
regularity,
safety and
progress
of the human community
is a sign of your presence,
your power,
your wisdom,
your rule,
your love and your
grace.
Since the horrible
entrance
of sin into this world,
a world now populated
by those who are rebels
against your will,
you would expect the world to
explode
into dark unlivable chaos,
but you exercise your power
for our common good,
restraining,
guiding,
protecting,
intervening,
keeping evil from running
rampant.
In this way everyone experiences
the fruit
of your presence and your grace.
We do not now live in
paradise,
but without this exercise of
common grace,
things would be unthinkably
dark.
But there is more.
You bless your creatures with
gifts,
bringing
life,
beauty,
health,
pleasure,
wisdom,
insight,
understanding and
new beginnings,
not things to be earned,
but gifts of your love.

Every
scientist, innovator, researcher,
philosopher, inventor, educator,
playwright, composer, novelist,
painter, chef, governor,
policeman, dancer, weaver,
carpenter, architect, builder,
engineer, musician, coach,
counselor, mechanic, sculptor.
pastor, gardener, housewife
employs gifts given
by you.
You find joy in giving what
is needed for your image bearers
to thrive.
Every new thing
conceived by human minds,
created by human hands,
contributing to human welfare,
is a gift of your grace.
You have built into your
creatures
a desire to create.
From the drawings of a child,
to the decoration of a home,
to the design of machines,
you wired us to create,
because you love for us to
thrive.
Yes, we are broken,
we don’t always use our gifts
for good,
but every day our lives are
enhanced by the restraint of
sin
and by innumerable gifts of your
grace.

The sun shines on the
righteous and the unrighteous.
Your good gifts are given
not because we are
deserving,
but because you are
good.

A Prayer for Today: Lord, help me to see your goodness and grace in the parts of my life where I’m prone to ignoring you and your gifts to me. I’m often blinded by my schedule, my routine, my needs, my wants, and my desires. My blindness to your grace pushes me toward entitlement, and I need your forgiveness. Help me to see with fresh eyes all that you do in this world, and may I respond with worship and gratitude. Thank you for the beauty of your common grace that lavishes me and everyone around me with unending reminders that you are good and loving. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Discussion Prompt for Children

1. What does the word “grace” mean? What does it mean to experience God’s grace? How have you seen God be gracious towards you?

2. In what ways does God give grace to people who follow Jesus? How does God give grace to everyone, even if they aren’t a Christian? Can you give me some examples of that?

3. Why is God’s grace always good news?

Reflection Questions

1. In what ways have you experienced God’s generous grace to you? How have you seen his grace lavished on other people close to you? How have you seen his active grace in the lives of others who aren’t believers? What does the multi-faceted grace of God say about his character?

2. How has gratefulness played an active role in your life as you think about his grace toward you and others? In what ways have you communicated with God about your gratefulness for his grace?

3. Take some time right now to pause and thank God for all the grace he has poured out on you and others—all undeserved. Ask him to give you fresh reminders of his grace so that you’re able to see and experience it in ways that make you grateful each day.

4. How have you seen God’s redeeming grace play out in your life? How has his redeeming grace shaped and transformed you? In what ways is his redemptive grace spurring you on toward change and growth? How does his redeeming grace make you want to share the gospel with others who don’t know Christ?