Grace — Ad Infinitum

Noah’s story is a powerful reminder that none of us would be walking the planet, breathing in oxygen, or pursuing the unlimited potential of beings created with the Imago Dei were it not for God’s undeserved kindness and everlasting mercy. Thank God his mercy overrules his righteous anger and he gives us a second, third, fourth, ad infinitum chance!

The Journey // Focus: Genesis 6:7-8

And the Lord said, “I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing—all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.” But Noah found favor with the Lord.

Noah found grace (KJV) in the eyes of the Lord. Since I am named Noah, I will take that as a Divine promise to me! But if you, too, are walking with God, you can claim grace from the Almighty.  Thank God for grace—unmerited favor!

If you think about the original account of Noah, we would hope that this man whom God chose as both an instrument of world judgment and a conduit for a new genesis was a pretty likeable guy—worthy of Divine favor. And to be sure, Genesis 7:1 does tell us that by comparison to the rest of humanity at that time, Noah alone was righteous. Still, as John Chrysostom rightly noted, “Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by mercy that we shall be saved.” At the end of the day, Noah’s righteousness, and our best righteousness, is as filthy rags before a holy God. (Isaiah 64:6)

So theologically, we must conclude that this story is not so much about Noah’s worthiness as it is about God’s undeserved, unearned mercy and kindness. No matter how good Noah might have been, man’s best goodness will never stack up to God’s holiness. And that is simply an impossible equation that dooms man to eternal judgment.

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

Noah’s story reminds us that none of us—neither you nor I—would be walking the planet, breathing in oxygen, or pursuing the unlimited potential of beings created with the Imago Dei were it not for God’s undeserved kindness and everlasting mercy.

Noah’s story reminds us that even in the midst of darkness so dark that God repents of creating mankind, his grace overrides his broken heart, his mercy overrules his righteous anger and he gives us a second, third, fourth chance—grace ad infinitum!

Thank God that we, too, can find grace in the eyes of the Lord.