Amazing Grace - Jason

God created us to have a relationship with Him.  It shouldn't be surprising when we see His grace manifested towards someone who softens their heart towards Him...but it is.  In this case, its shocking:

I Kings 21:24-28  “Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds will feed on those who die in the country.” (There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife. He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the LORD drove out before Israel.) When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.”

You've got a guy who is extremely evil in his pursuit of evil and yet, he humbles himself and receives grace.  Its similar to the city of Nineveh turning after the preaching of Jonah.

Strange that in the face of this kind of grace, so many still believe that a relationship with God, either initiated or ongoing, must be earned. 

I think a passage like this shows God's style.  There must be a response to truth - in other words, God does not stop bringing destruction simply because.  It is in direct response to faith - in this case, Ahab's actions demonstrated that he believed what God said would happen would actually happen.  In the same way, for those who want a relationship with God today, they cannot have it however they want it.  We have to respond to the truth that Christ's death, burial and resurrection pays for our sin and enables a relationship with God to begin.  This is the nature of any relationship - I don't have a relationship with my kids or my wife or even friends only on my terms.  I have to know who they are and respond to that.

On the other hand, God responds to this faith without counting a man's former sins against him. Though nothing seems to indicate that Ahab ever entered into relationship with God, God is very quick to extend grace, calling him to repentance.  God's desire to see the relationship established is not neutral; it is very one-sided - He is biased towards having a relationship with us.  So much so that He sent His Son.