Rain for the evil?

Rain for the evil?

God shows grace to us in many ways. Some will distinguish between different types of grace, in an effort to explore the magnitude of God’s love – its “breadth and length and height and depth” (Ephesians 3:18). Over the next four blog posts, we’ll explore four possible dimensions of God’s grace.

The first is common grace. These are the gifts that God gives to all people as Creator. These gifts are included in the confession: “I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.” Everything we have is a gift of God, who made all things.

A key Bible verse for God’s common gifts is Matthew 5:45. “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

In reading those words, it’s easy to put ourselves in one category and others in the other category. We’re good and just; “someone else” is the evil and unjust person Jesus is referring to.

However, apart from God’s redemption of us in Jesus, all of us are evil. By our sinful nature, all of us are unjust. It’s important to remain humble and remember that everything we have is a gift, including any goodness that dwells in us.

God cares for all of His creation, including every person. Where I live – San Antonio – we’d like a little more rain to fall on the just and unjust. We’re in the midst of a long stretch of 100 degree days!

In seasons of rain and seasons of drought, we trust in God, who provides for all of our needs by His grace.

For reflection: What gifts of God (common grace) are you most grateful for today?

Grace under Pressure releases July 5! Find out more about the book here!