GENEROUS GRACIOUS GRACE

In the parables that Jesus told, I think the one that raised the most eyebrows during His time and probably even now is the Parable of the Vineyard Workers. (Matthew 20:1-16 NIV)

The last verse says "So the last will be first, and the first will be last." No wonder that the first group of workers who toiled the longest were mad! They had worked the longest under the hot sun and these late comers who were doing nothing earlier but loafing around at the market square barely worked for a few hours they were given the job and they received the same pay cheque.

Let's examine his answer "Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? vs.14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. vs15. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?"

The landowner hit the nail on the head! He asked if they were jealous because he was generous! I call it Generous Grace!

When Jesus told this story, He was giving us a parable about GRACIOUS GRACE, and yes God's grace is unfair because it cannot be measured, not by a day's wage or by our performance or good works. Jesus put it very plainly, "So the last will be first, and the first will be last." Grace means it is not about counting! Grace is not about our hard works and sacrifice only. Grace is a GIFT to be RECEIVED from God, we cannot do anything to earn it. Yes, God's grace is unfair, it is unfairly GOOD!

Philip Yancey in his book, "What's So Amazing About Grace?" sums it up so eloquently. "We like to think of ourselves as responsible workers, and the employer's strange behavior baffles us as it did the original hearers. We risk missing the story - that God dispenses gifts, not wages. None of us gets paid according to merit, for none of us comes close to satisfying God's requirements for a perfect life. If paid on the basis of fairness, we would all end up in hell."

Have you embraced this unfair grace? The gift of GRACE and RIGHTEOUSNESS! (Roman 5:15-17) tells us "much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And vs. 17 says, "much more those who received abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One Jesus Christ."

The two group of workers I see were saints in the old covenant and the new covenant. These are bands of workers of the Old Testament saints. And those New Testament saints are called at the 11th hour are the New Covenant Grace workers believers. In the last days, God's grace is going to pour out into the church as never before in an over abundance, overflowing, overwhelming, overcoming and overtaking. And we cannot stop God's grace coming through strongly at us and in us. He is graciously good enough! Believe it! You are one of His 11th hour workers picked for the hour.

SERVICE FOR GOD

One thing this parable tells us is that whatever service we do for God it is not the amount of time and work that you do. It is the Grace of God in our lives that works that service and our service and ministry will be acceptable with God always. There is no rejection, no condemnation and failure in our service for God. When God looks at your work and ministry God looks at Jesus first at the Cross in you.

So the last will be first and the first will be last - Matthew 20:16 There are reasons why? Comparing Law and Grace dispensation, Grace will always be the first and never last. They will outlast the rest and just with a short time they can achieve good results. They will outlast and outrun most of those who go first in ministry, in jobs, in career, etc.........

Another way I see it, the first workers who spend the whole day in the service, were working under a legal agreement and they were working for wages represent LAW rather than for the joy (GRACE). Joy flows from the grace of God. These are new covenant believers in the last days. They went to the field with no binding agreement but free to trust God and give themselves entirely to God - they believe their BOSS JESUS.

Just think of Jesus giving. It is totally different kind of giving. When Jesus gives life, He give abundantly, overflowing and overjoying life. When I planted my seed it can goes to 30 fold, 60 fold and 100 fold. When He rewards us for service He gives 10,000 percent now in this life and in the age to come eternal life. We cannot out give God. He gives and gives 100 times the best and we can learn from Him. He never stops giving until we stop it by our limitation of vessels, strength or fear. Just like the oil of Elisha time it stopped when there was no vessels left.

Do you know we are living in the 11th hour now? YES! God is saying at the 11th hour I am going to be so, so, so generous with grace and I am going to give and give and give unless you stop me. Can you go too far with GRACE! Have we touch grace yet? Grace is like an ocean! And we are just playing around the beach and some go swimming! And we are so satisfied! THERE IS MORE TO COME DON'T LIMIT GOD NOW! GOD IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY AND BEYOND WHAT WE ASK OR THINK. What are you thinking or asking now?

COMMAND THIS DAY TO DELIVER AND BRING FORTH FRUITS!
Thank you Father for the Precious Gift and Grace of Jesus! Today I declare and decree that this is the day the Lord has made specially for me! I will rejoice and exceeding glad in it. TODAY I AM PREGNANT WITH MY BLESSINGS, BENEFITS AND BREAKTHROUGHS! TODAY, I am going to expect many Great and Wonderful Things happen in my life. My hope is from the Lord. Yes I today I receive the BLESSING OF HIS GRACIOUS GRACE AND GOODNESS! AND I AM OVERFLOWING AND FULL WITH HIS GOOD GRACE. TODAY I CHOOSE TO LIVE THE LIFE OF OVERFLOWING, OVERCOMING, OVERTAKING ABUNDANT LIFE OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD. I CHOOSE TO REACH OUT AND RECEIVE THE ABUNDANT GENEROUS GRACIOUS GRACE OF GOD!