The Anatomy of Grace

Yesterday Gretchen closed her comment with the familar words,"there but for the grace of God." That got me thinking how I'm blessed to be part of a family where there is grace, and lots of it. I can't say we've always extended that grace to each other, but it's been long enough since any of us didn't that I can't even think of a specific time when one of us had to deal with a brother or sister condemning another. Oh, we aren't afraid to tell each other that we think they're wrong.....but we still accept each other as we are.

What about those places and people where grace seems totally foreign? As I think about it, it seems to me that grace is usually absent when people think there aren't any skeletons in their closet. They don't see themselves as in need of any mercy -- there's nothing they would seek forgiveness for. That sense of perfection leads to an awfully hard heart, unwilling to accept the failings of those who don't live up to some false ideal we've attained.

Well, there's enough skeletons in my closet I can't shut the door! I have no other choice but to remember that "there but for the grace of God go I." And I would be bold enough to say that any Christian that doesn't feel the same way doesn't really understand the price paid on the Cross.

Is there a tipping point?

Randy "Duke" Cunningham was sentenced to prison time for taking bribes while serving in Congress. Mr. Cunningham is a decorated war hero, a former "Top Gun" instructor. Everything about his past speaks to honor, valour and integrity.
His conviction and plea bargin covers over two million dollars in bribes, kickbacks, gifts and vacations he received from those whose interests he championed in Congress.
I am not that interested in his politics, his party's politics or really anyone's at this point.

What I do find fascinating is where was his tipping point?
What was it that allowed him to move from a man of integrity to a man for sale?
What was his first foray into that world?
What was going through his mind as he abandoned the things he had risked his life for in combat? Did he know he was crossing that line?

So, to you few readers that stop by, the question is this: can you picture yourself making such a journey, abandoning your principles? And what would be worth that for you? Power, money, mental and physical gratification?
Do you have a bedrock principal you wouldn't see yourself crossing, one that you would approach but not go over?