5-18-25 “What if There were No Grace from God?”

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“What if There were No Grace from God?”

I want to start with something funny I found on a website: A man dies and goes to heaven. Of course, St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter says, “Here’s how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you’ve done, and I will give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in.”

The man says, “Okay, I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart.” “That’s wonderful,” says St. Peter, “that’s worth three points!”

“What, three points?” he says. “Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithe and service.” “Terrific!” says St. Peter. “That’s certainly worth a point.”

“One point?” he says, I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans.” “Fantastic, that’s good for two more points,” he says. “Two points?” Exasperated, the man cries and says, “At this rate, the only way I’ll get into heaven is by the grace of God.” “Bingo, 100 points! Come on in!”

If we were counting on our good deeds on earth to get us into heaven, no one would get it by their good works. The Apostle Paul says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 3:8-9). Yes, we can attend worship, give offerings, share our gifts and talents, and serve others—but ultimately, it is God’s grace that saves us. Even our health—physical and spiritual—is a gift of grace.

What if we were judged solely by our abilities to determine our salvation?
What if our failures defined us forever? What if love had to be earned, and was not freely given?

In John 13, we find Jesus speaking to His disciples just after Judas leaves to betray Him. Jesus, knowing the cross is near, gives them a new commandment: “Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” But how did Jesus love them? How did He love Judas—the betrayer? How did He love Peter—the denier? Jesus loved them to the end.

Let’s reflect on our own lives through the life and ministry of the disciple Peter, and witness just how amazing God’s grace is. Peter, often called the “best” or most prominent disciple, was born in Bethsaida (John 1:44) and was originally named Simon. A fisherman by trade, he was introduced to Jesus by his brother Andrew. Along with Andrew and the brothers James and John, Peter left everything to follow Jesus.

When Simon confessed his faith—saying, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16)—Jesus gave him the name Peter (Greek: Petros, meaning “rock”; Aramaic: Cephas). Peter was the first to declare Jesus as the Christ. He was the one who stepped out of the boat to walk on water. The one who swore he would never leave Jesus’ side.

And later, he became a foundational leader in the early church (Acts 2), preaching at Pentecost, where thousands were baptized. He performed healings, defended the gospel, and was the first to welcome Gentile believers (Acts 10, the story of Cornelius).

Many Christians believe Peter holds the keys to heaven (Matthew 16:18–19). He is considered the first bishop of Rome in Catholic tradition and is often viewed as the first pope. According to tradition, Peter was martyred in Rome under Emperor Nero, crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die as Jesus did.

But let’s not forget: in this very same chapter (John 13), Jesus predicts Peter’s denial.

Three times, Peter would say, “I do not know Him.” Without grace, that would be Peter’s legacy: A man who failed his friend in His darkest hour. But because of grace, Peter’s story didn’t end in shame. Because of grace, the same man who denied Jesus became the one who preached at Pentecost. Because of grace, a broken fisherman became a cornerstone of the Church.

Jesus said, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34). That kind of love isn’t easy. We can love those who love us—but how can we love those who hate us, betray us, or deny, reject, and ignore us? Can you love them as Jesus loves us? I said, “as Jesus loves us.” Do you think only Peter and Judas denied and betrayed Jesus? We, too, may deny or betray Jesus in our everyday lives—often without even realizing it. You may not think so, but sometimes we do complain in our hearts and minds when we face trials in daily life. And if you’ve ever done that—don’t worry. Because God gives us a second chance. That is amazing grace.

After His resurrection, Jesus came to Peter on the shore of the Sea of Galilee and asked him: “Do you love me?” (John 21) Jesus didn’t throw Peter away. He invited him to try again. If we had no grace from God, we could never fulfill this new commandment. We’d be too busy proving ourselves.  Too afraid to admit failure. Too guarded to truly love. But grace frees us.
Grace says: “You are more than your worst moment.” Grace says: “Come back. Feed my sheep.” Peter’s life became a living testimony of grace. He was a man forgiven, who learned to forgive. He preached boldly, welcomed outsiders, and eventually died for his Lord—upside down, not because he had to, but because he was so transformed by grace.

What if there were no grace from God? Then Peter’s story would have ended in fear.
Then we’d all be stuck in the brokenness of chapter 13. But because there is grace, we move forward—into resurrection, restoration, and renewal.

Jesus didn’t just command love—He modeled it. He washed the feet of the one who would betray Him. He restored the one who denied Him. And now He gives us grace, so that we can give it to others. We have endless potential for learning and growing in God. And it is by the grace of God that we become fully who we are meant to be—beloved, forgiven, and free.

Thanks be to God. Amen.