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Rev Sarah Nyathi
MATT 1: 3: And Judah fathered Pharez and Zarah of Tamar. And Pharez fathered Hezron, and Hezron fathered Ram. Matt 1: 5: And Salmon fathered Boaz of Rahab, and Boaz fathered Obed of Ruth, and Obed fathered Jesse.GRACE is derived from the Greek word “charis” — which is joy or pleasure. To do something to another person that is pleasurable yet undeserved out of outmost joy. The grace of God is illustrated throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testament. However, there are three women in scripture who experienced grace in an unprecedented fashion. The ladies are Tamar, Rahab and Ruth who have the privilege of occupying a place of honour in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Mary the mother of Jesus is the fourth lady). So amazing is the grace of God that it can reach out to decidedly ordinary people and transform them to something awe inspiring.

On closer examination these women it is noted that these were not squeaky clean, seraphic individuals that deserve to feature in the ancestry of the Son of God. Their murky backgrounds demonstrate the grace of God fully. I marvel at God’s great sense of humour because these women would not meet the usual Christian criteria to qualify for any Christian service. The sweet Virgin Mary would be the only one that would pass the stringent standards of the 21st century judgmental Christian. The other three ladies would have been tossed on the rubbish heap.

This illustrates just how far the 21st century church has deviated from an understanding of the grace of God. The church has become intolerant and judgmental particularly with those who do not match the fickle man made standards that prevail in the church. I refer to these as fickle man made standards because they do not represent the gracious and loving heart of God. The church has developed its own sub-culture with its language/jargon, dress code and behaviour that new entrants into the church find hard to understand. Should an individual walk into the church wearing a skirt too short, tight, top too revealing, or a suit too shabby, they are met with instant disapproval and judgmental behaviour from the very people who should receive and embrace them. The offering basket is another hindrance to new entrants, if they cannot afford handsome tithes and offerings, they will not be warmly embraced in the church community. Yet God is rich in grace toward all mankind and has room for all (although this should not be used an excuse to sin). Ephesians 6: 7–9 So that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace you are saved through faith, and not of yourselves, it is a gift of God. Not of works lest any man boasts.

Grace is extended to us because it is God’s pleasure and joy to do so to one who is undeserving. The emphasis here is on one who is undeserving. Tamar, Rahab and Ruth were all undeserving to receive and enjoy such grace. When I meditate on God’s grace I am humbled as I know that I am least deserving of such love, kindness and grace.

In our corrupt nation and even more corrupt church, grace is a concept that would be easily grasped or understood. Imagine a commodity that cannot be obtained through the following means:-

● It is a gift that cannot be earned.

● It cannot be purchased for any amount of money not even “green backs”, euros or pound sterling.

● You cannot charm God and get it through some underhand means (bribes, kickbacks).

● In fact, how God chooses the beneficiaries of His grace is mind boggling and entirely at His discretion.

How do we relate the grace of God that is freely given to the modern commercialised gospel where healing is exchanged for pricey anointed oil or water and in some extreme cases sex. Prophecies, blessings and breakthroughs are released after parting with hefty offerings in cash and kind (the recent newspaper report of a couple who parted with large sums of money and vehicles in exchange for a prayer to own an airline and improve their fortunes in business).