There are moments in life when our understanding of God is shaken, especially when someone we love is nearing death. We may begin to question whether God’s grace is enough—whether He really is as loving and merciful as we once believed. And sometimes, when our hearts are heavy with fear, it feels as though God is playing a cruel game, watching from afar, ready to strike us down when we mess up, as if we’re participants in some kind of spiritual “whack-a-mole.”
But nothing could be further from the truth.
The God of the Bible—the God who sent His Son for our salvation—does not spend His days waiting for us to slip up, only to punish us when we fail. God isn’t in the business of playing games with our salvation. His grace is persistent, patient, and saving. It reaches us even when we wander, even when we’re weak, and even when we live in ways that are contrary to the faith we professed years ago.
In this post, we will explore what happens when people stray from their faith and how God’s grace still reaches out to them, even in their darkest moments. I hope to provide comfort to those who are questioning or struggling with doubt, especially when facing the uncertainty of a loved one’s passing.
Misconceptions about God’s Judgment
One of the most common fears people have is that straying from church or making mistakes in life somehow disqualifies them from God’s grace. When we drift away, neglect our faith, or fall into sin, we might begin to wonder: Am I still saved? Does God still love me?
In these moments, it’s easy to believe that God has turned His back on us, waiting to condemn us for our failures. But the truth is, God’s love for us isn’t based on our ability to live perfect lives. His grace doesn’t waver when we do.
Paul writes in Romans 8:38-39:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Nothing can separate us from God’s love. Not our mistakes, not our doubts, not our failures. God’s grace is far more powerful than we often realize, and it covers us even in times of deep struggle. This means that even if someone has lived in ways that seem distant from God, the promise of His love remains firm.
Lutheran Understanding of Grace
The beauty of grace in Lutheran theology is that it isn’t something we can earn. It’s not dependent on how well we live, how often we attend church, or how closely we follow the rules. Grace is entirely God’s work. It’s a gift that He gives to us freely, not because we deserve it, but because He loves us.
In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul writes:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Salvation is not about our ability to “stay on track.” It’s not about making sure we’ve done everything right before we die. It’s about what Jesus has done for us on the cross. His perfect life, His death, and His resurrection secure our salvation—not our ability to live perfectly.
This is why Lutherans hold so strongly to the doctrines of Sola Gratia (by grace alone) and Sola Fide (by faith alone). God’s grace is what saves us, and our faith in His promise—however weak or imperfect it may be—is what receives that grace.
God’s Claim on the Baptized
For those who are baptized, God’s grace is particularly clear. In baptism, God makes a promise to us: that we are His, and nothing can snatch us from His hand. Baptism isn’t something that can be undone because it’s not based on our commitment to God—it’s based on His commitment to us.
In 1 Peter 3:21, Peter writes:
“Baptism… now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
Baptism is a sign and seal of God’s promise. It is the moment when God marks us as His own, forever. And even if we wander from the faith, even if we live in ways that are contrary to our baptismal identity, God does not revoke His promise. He continues to claim us as His children, calling us back to Himself.
When Life Gets Off Track: Living Contrary to Faith
It’s no secret that Christians, like everyone else, sometimes live in ways that don’t align with their faith. We fall into sin. We neglect our spiritual life. We distance ourselves from the church. And yet, even in those moments, God’s love for us doesn’t change.
One of the most powerful stories in Scripture that illustrates this is the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). In this story, a young man leaves his father’s house, squanders his inheritance, and lives a life far from what he was taught. But when he finally decides to return home, his father doesn’t meet him with anger or condemnation. Instead, he runs to him, embraces him, and celebrates his return.
This is the heart of God toward us. Even when we live in ways that are contrary to His will, He is always ready to welcome us back with open arms. As the prophet Joel reminds us in Joel 2:13:
“Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love…”
The Role of the Church and Community
As members of the body of Christ, we are called to reflect God’s grace in our own lives and in our communities. This means that when someone has been away from the faith or has been living in ways that are contrary to the Gospel, our response should not be one of judgment or condemnation. Instead, we are called to welcome them back with open arms, just as God does.
The church should be a place of grace—a place where people can return after being away, knowing that they will be met with love and compassion. We are called to model the Father’s love in the story of the Prodigal Son, always ready to celebrate the return of the lost.
And even when we don’t see immediate change, we trust that God is always at work in the hearts of those who are distant from Him. Our role is to pray for them, love them, and trust that God’s grace will continue to reach them, even when we can’t.
Assurance of Salvation: Calling on the Name of the Lord
One of the greatest promises we have in Scripture is that anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. In Romans 10:13, Paul writes:
“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
This is a promise that should bring peace to our hearts, especially when we are worried about the salvation of a loved one. God’s desire is to save, not to condemn. In John 3:17, we read:
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Even in moments of doubt, even when we fear that someone we love may not have lived perfectly, we can trust in God’s promise. His grace is greater than our fears, and His love is stronger than our doubts.
Conclusion: A Gracious God in Uncertain Times
As we reflect on the nature of God’s grace, let’s remember that God doesn’t play whack-a-mole with our lives. He isn’t waiting for us to make a mistake so that He can strike us down. Instead, He is a gracious and loving Father who is always working to redeem, restore, and claim His own.
Even when we stray, even when we live in ways that are contrary to our faith, God’s grace is enough to bring us back. Our salvation doesn’t rest on our ability to be perfect—it rests on the perfect work of Christ.
So, in times of uncertainty, when we are gripped with fear or doubt, let’s trust in God’s grace. And let’s continue to pray for those who may have wandered from the faith, knowing that God’s love is always reaching out to them.
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