Miracles & Math

Grace is a miracle. The definition of a miracle is something that goes against natural laws. Newton’s second law states that for every cause, there is an equal and opposite effect. We live like that, or at least I do.

What I do (cause) = God owes me (effect)

I do good = God owes me something good, or I deserve something good

I do bad = God owes me something bad, or I deserve something bad

Fill in the variables (those letters that represent something in algebra…): I really, really pray hard—God owes me an answer (and how I want it). I’m not faithful enough, God owes me a consequence.

Grace is a miracle. It totally surpasses the law of cause and effect. It doesn’t matter what I do or don’t do, I am given grace because of God’s nature, character, and love; the completed work of Christ; and sealed by the Holy Spirit. If I do really, really good, without Christ it is still a filthy rag, only fit for hell, trash, cannot stand before God.

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Is. 64:6).

I cannot do good. I cannot merit anything. 0 + 0 = 0. I start with nothing, have nothing, can’t add anything.

Now I’m in Christ. I still can’t do good apart from him and his power, life, and work in me through the Holy Spirit and for the glory of the Father.

“No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:4-5).

It is God who works in me to will and to do, who holds me fast (Phil. 2:12-13; 1 Cor. 1:8-9; Jude 24). I cannot do to merit his favor or his disfavor; He’s a little biased towards me, after all, as I am his precious daughter covered in the blood of His most precious and perfect Son.

That is what is called a law-breaking, mind-boggling, reason-shaking, earth-shattering miracle. Grace. And I live in it each day.

I confess that the first equations carry faulty theology. 1) I am the causer there, and God responds. It is a small view of God and a big view of me. This seems to be the way that much of the other religions work; only Christianity is DONE. 2) It can turn into a form of manipulation and bartering with God—“If I do this, then please do this…” This is based on the faulty first premise of a small god. We cannot barter for grace—it is a miraculous gift.

“Grace is a love that has nothing to do with you, the beloved. It has everything and only to do with the lover.” (Paul Zahl, Grace in Practice: A Theology of Everyday Life)