Article 13

“Works done before receiving the grace of Christ and the inspiration of his Spirit are not pleasing to God. This is because they do not spring out of faith in Jesus Christ. Nor do they make people fit to receive grace or (as the schoolmen say) to deserve grace of congruity. On the contrary, because they are not done as God has willed and commanded that they should be done, it is undoubtedly the case that they have the nature of sin.”

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There is a touching scene in the film, “Jerry Maguire”, when Jerry realizes that he made a terrible mistake when he left his wife. So he goes to a house where he knows she will be. Another woman opens the door and he says, “Hello. I’m looking for my wife.” He then turns to his wife and begins a long-winded apology. One hundred and thirty-two words later she stops him: “Aw, shut up. You had me at ‘Hello.’ “

Jesus told a parable about a son who left his father, but who soon realizes that he, too, made a terrible mistake. So he decides to swallow his pride and return. He knows that he has a lot of explaining to do and prepares a speech. “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.” But as soon as he begins his speech, his father brushes it aside and says to the servants: “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.” (Luke 15: 22, 23)

In both of these stories the penitent person assumes that something must be done to win back the acceptance of the one left behind. The surprise is how quickly they are forgiven. The person who was hurt does not need to be won back, they are eager to welcome and forgive. This is amazing grace!

Sometimes people feel a great sense of remorse for the way they have treated God. They want to return to him, but they fear rejection. “Why would God welcome me back after my rejection of him?” One of the 39 Articles tells us that “Works done before receiving the grace of Christ and the inspiration of his Spirit are not pleasing to God. Nor do they make people fit to receive grace or to deserve grace.” In other words, there is nothing we can do to earn God’s grace. However, the great news is that there is nothing we need to do to earn God’s grace, except turn to him in repentance and faith. As one writer put it, “There is nothing we can do to make God love us more, and there is nothing we can do to make God love us less.”