The greatest balancing act of life

Would it be the balancing act of the President of the United States as he handles his personal and family life and the presidency? Or, could it be something as simple as how much detergent to place in the washing machine? Certainly, there wouldn't be much of an argument of which of these is more difficult or of greater value to learn. 

But, let me present another great balance of life. What I believe to be the most difficult of all time. It is the life of a Christian balancing the walk of works and grace. You might be thinking that you have had a harder time deciding how to make the perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwich! That is a vital question also, but, not as important to solving this critical thought on works and grace. Let's look at it for a minute.

Works. I mean, all a Christian has to do is be good and go to church. Help old ladies across the street. Re-cycle every other week. Keep the Golden Rule. Try hard to not break the 10 Commandments. Sure, and that in itself would be a tall order. But, it doesn't stop there:

“He who does not love does not know God” 

“If someone says, ‘I love God’, but hates his brother, he is a liar and cannot be a son of God”
“In this are the children of God and the children of the Devil known: Whoever does not love his brother, is not of God”

Here is a biblical list of responsibilities of  a Christian. How could God hold people to such behavior? Those are works we could never attain to. The job description is not finished:

“If someone asks you to go one mile, go with them the second mile”
“If someone asks you to give them your coat, give them also your shirt”
“Love your enemies”
"Leave your family, forsake yourself, take up your cross daily and follow Me"

Christianity is made up of expectations. Dare we say that Christianity is not for everyone. The faint of heart need not apply. But, therein lies the paradox. Sure, there are standards and characteristic works that we must attain. 

But, the great equalizer of Christianity is grace. Throughout the bible, we are reminded of the standard. But, God has given us everything we need to reach that standard and run after it with freedom and mercy. To reach and run after the many evident works in the bible is much easier and a greater joy knowing that spread beneath us in this life is the net of grace that God stretches under us.

To recognize the balance of works and grace is to learn the degree of pursuit we must have for works, while at the same time recognizing the ever-present knowledge of grace that chases after us. 

Ephesians chapter 2 is the charter of works and grace. The description of the Christian life. You will read words such as, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, unless anyone would boast." It is in understanding the balance of works and grace that we find great success and fulfillment. A Christian must walk in works and rely upon grace. They go in tandem. 

What is the greatest balance of life? Is it of Presidents or detergent? Making the perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Neither. I would say the great balance of life is to seek both works and grace every day with the same strength of pursuit.