In Christ we have redemption through blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that is lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
Ephesians 1:7
This seems to be an apparent contradiction. We usually don’t think of lavish and wisdom in the same sentence.
Lavish means you are giving more than is necessary or giving it freely. In our time and in this economy, when we think of resources, we think of using only what is necessary. To lavish seems to be wasting, and wasting is not wise.
When God is lavishing something on us, sometimes we feel like we are a bad investment. It can be easy to feel like we are a waste of God’s grace when we constantly keep blowing it.
But that’s not how God sees it. God in effect says to every one of us:
“You’re a good investment from my perspective. I think you’re worth it. I’m not lavishing my grace on you because I don’t know how bad you are. I’m lavishing my grace on you because of how good I am. And because I know how great you can be. And I’m doing it with all wisdom.”
God doesn’t waste anything. There isn’t one drop of blood or one forgiven sin God wishes to have back. Even when it applies to you. There will never be a moment where God has second thoughts about whether grace should have been lavished on humanity. Even when it applies to you.
The reason God’s lavishing looks like foolishness is because all we see is who we were and who we are. God, on the other hand, already knows what we will become in this life and in the next.
God knows that the only way we’re going to realize our potential is through grace, lavish grace. And that’s why God is wise and lavish.
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