Just Thinking: Limitations of Grace
September 29, 2017By V. Knowles

"I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands." - 2 Sam 24:14

Michelle Malkin is a conservative blogger and a frequent Fox News contributor.

                  

Several months prior to Malkin's birth, her parents had immigrated to the United States on an employer-sponsored visa.

                  

This is what Michelle Malkin, a Roman Catholic Christian, who decries the assaults on Christian businesses, like Chick-Fil-A, said recently.

                  

"The dreamers deserve nothing,” referring to those undocumented aliens who were brought here as children.

                  

That is an intriguing statement from a child of immigrants who just barely made it in.

                  

The dreamers deserve nothing. Four words which arrested my attention.

                  

Here is a disturbing thought. Nevertheless, being right is not always right.

                  

Whenever we have no hardship like other men, I feel sometimes the pride of life sneaks in ever subtly upon us.

                  

“I made it the right way, we reason, why can't they?"

                  

Another comment about a dreamer- “Here comes that dreamer, let us slay him and cast him in some pit and we shall see what will become of his dreams." – Gen. 37:20

                  

Now this is not a column about the merits of, or excuses for illegal immigration, but an explanation of the prevailing human attitude towards grace.

                  

Grace, its efficacy, as evidenced by the history of men, is extremely limited in our minds.

                  

It applies to me but it does not extend to you.

                  

Even though my circumstances may appear similar to yours, there are stark differences and so grace must be selectively applied and, yes, God should exercise more compassion and consideration in my case.

                  

I am fully deserving of grace and mercy and you are not.

                  

When I am in trouble, I can swallow a camel of mercy. When you are in difficulty, I strangle with a gnat of compassion.

                  

Do you remember the Biblical story of the unjust steward-forgiven so much-yet unable to find even a small measure of compassion for a fellow debtor?

                  

Not a big believer in, "forgive us our debts as we forgive those who are indebted to us" was that guy.

                  

Nor is this a slight against Michelle Malkin. We have all, at some time or another, entertained the same harsh attitude towards our fellow men.

                  

Grace is a divine principle that must be divinely inspired and divinely applied.

                  

That is why it is always marvelous and never fails to amaze.

                  

Sometimes, however, when we are on television or in the public eye, we are tempted to blurt out ill-advised or unreasonable statements for shock value and to garner attention.

                  

Even preachers in the pulpit, snared in the camera's lens are seduced and fall victim to the same temptation.

                  

People oftentimes forget, life is not all about publicity.

                  

V. Knowles is a husband, father and prison minister with an interest in penning issues that serve to uplift mankind. He melds his love for Classic literature, The Bible and pop culture - as sordid as it may be - into highly relatable columns of truth, faith and justice. Hence the name: Just Thinking. If he's not buried in a book or penning his next column, you may find him pinned to his sectional watching a good old Country and Western flick. He is the co-author of HOLA AMERICA: Guts, Grit, Grind and Further Traits in the Successful American Immigrant

                 

                


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