"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace" Ephesians 1:7
Whether in television, movies or the news, we have all seen guilty criminals standing before a judge receiving a just sentence commensurate with their crimes. We have seen people condemned to prison for years, for life and even the death penalty. I can imagine that there are some who, depending on the crime, look upon them with contempt and think, "They got what they deserve."
Now put yourself in the place of that criminal who stands in front of a judge to receive sentencing. Now imagine that judge to be God. And know in your heart that you are guilty as and of sin. The ultimate sentence awaits you as you stand with fear and trembling.
Now imagine Jesus standing beside you as your attorney while Satan, representing your victims, those who witnessed your sins and his own interests, continues to pile on charge after charge. Imagine Jesus requesting a sidebar with God. You overhear him say, "I've already served his/her sentence and you have agreed to free all who accepted my sacrificial serving. He/She has." Then imagine God pounding a mighty gavel of fire, uttering the words, "Case dismissed." Lastly, imagine Satan infuriated as he calls in the next accused.
Beloved, a court case comparison is neither new or unique, but it makes the point well. A verdict of "case dismissed" is the essence and effect of grace and mercy. The Scriptures tell us, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast" Ephesians 2:8-9. And mercy is most certainly the withholding of due punishment and consequence. We all deserve the death penalty. But through Christ, we are made free.
We all want justice, particularly if we are victims. But let us always remember that when we sin, however insignificant or confined it may be, we victimize someone else. And in those situations we all would much rather have grace and mercy than justice.
One,
Lee
Showing posts with label Grace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grace. Show all posts
Friday, April 4, 2014
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Shine On 9/3/2013
"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18
When you think about bondage in the spiritual realm, there are several different aspects to consider. First, before making a decision for Christ, we were all bound in and by sin. We were in utter darkness with no access to the benefits of light. For the Jews specifically, there was bondage under the Law. Though the Law was a great and holy thing, it meant death insofar as none could successfully keep all of it (Romans 7:9-10). Lastly, Gentiles were not a party to the covenant between God and Israel and were therefore without God, without hope(Ephesians 2:12)and clothed in darkness.
The good news today beloved, is that Jesus has made a way out of darkness and provides freedom. We have the ability to look upon his words and his life and see the light that exists there for all mankind. Not only are we able to observe it but we are transformed by it. Moses face famously shone as a result of his being in the presence of God, causing him to have to wear a veil (Exodus 34:32-35). Eventually the glory began to fade from him and the veil was kept to keep the people from seeing the glory leaving. But the veil of darkness has now been removed from our lives and the glory from the Lord is increasing every day. The glory manifests itself in our spirits, our hearts and our words, thoughts and deeds. It will continue to increase until such time as we reflect the light of the Lord in everything we are.
Let us do all we can to avail ourselves of what is available to us in and through the Lord. In so doing, let us let our light shine.
Committed,
Lee
When you think about bondage in the spiritual realm, there are several different aspects to consider. First, before making a decision for Christ, we were all bound in and by sin. We were in utter darkness with no access to the benefits of light. For the Jews specifically, there was bondage under the Law. Though the Law was a great and holy thing, it meant death insofar as none could successfully keep all of it (Romans 7:9-10). Lastly, Gentiles were not a party to the covenant between God and Israel and were therefore without God, without hope(Ephesians 2:12)and clothed in darkness.
The good news today beloved, is that Jesus has made a way out of darkness and provides freedom. We have the ability to look upon his words and his life and see the light that exists there for all mankind. Not only are we able to observe it but we are transformed by it. Moses face famously shone as a result of his being in the presence of God, causing him to have to wear a veil (Exodus 34:32-35). Eventually the glory began to fade from him and the veil was kept to keep the people from seeing the glory leaving. But the veil of darkness has now been removed from our lives and the glory from the Lord is increasing every day. The glory manifests itself in our spirits, our hearts and our words, thoughts and deeds. It will continue to increase until such time as we reflect the light of the Lord in everything we are.
Let us do all we can to avail ourselves of what is available to us in and through the Lord. In so doing, let us let our light shine.
Committed,
Lee
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Beautiful Reconciliation 8/28/2013
"And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—" Colossians 1:21-22
Have you ever gotten into a fight with someone dear and realized you were the one in the wrong? Do you remember how awful it felt to be in that state and to have hurt the feelings of the other person? And do you remember how bad you wanted to make up?
Beloved, this is the state we all were in before Christ. We were in utter darkness and far removed from the glorious light of the Father. As Paul put it, "remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world," Ephesians 2:12. We were lost and we did not understand how lost we were. We were in need of a savior and did not know that there was one available. But somehow we did know that we were out of position, unfulfilled and missing something. This is true because when we came into contact with him, we recognized the truth of our condition, his ability to relieve it and his overwhelming love for us. We responded by accepting him and have now been made whole. Paul describes it this way: "But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ," Ephesians 2:13.
Through Jesus, we have been reconciled to the Father. We are no longer fighting in the darkness while longing for the light. The originally intended relationship has been restored between those who have accepted the free gift of God's grace and the great Lover of our souls. He is to be praised.
Committed,
Lee
Have you ever gotten into a fight with someone dear and realized you were the one in the wrong? Do you remember how awful it felt to be in that state and to have hurt the feelings of the other person? And do you remember how bad you wanted to make up?
Beloved, this is the state we all were in before Christ. We were in utter darkness and far removed from the glorious light of the Father. As Paul put it, "remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world," Ephesians 2:12. We were lost and we did not understand how lost we were. We were in need of a savior and did not know that there was one available. But somehow we did know that we were out of position, unfulfilled and missing something. This is true because when we came into contact with him, we recognized the truth of our condition, his ability to relieve it and his overwhelming love for us. We responded by accepting him and have now been made whole. Paul describes it this way: "But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ," Ephesians 2:13.
Through Jesus, we have been reconciled to the Father. We are no longer fighting in the darkness while longing for the light. The originally intended relationship has been restored between those who have accepted the free gift of God's grace and the great Lover of our souls. He is to be praised.
Committed,
Lee
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The God of Second Chances-12/14/2011 (rp)
"Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and proclaim to it the proclamation which I am going to tell you." So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of the Lord." Jonah 3:1-3
We all know what it is like to make a mistake. Many times we find ourselves wide of where we should be and what we should be doing. There are times when this is a result of pure unintended accident and times when it is through malicious rebelliousness. In any case, having had the opportunity to rethink our decision, usually due to consequences that range from guilt to something, let us say, a bit more substantial, there is not much we would not do for a second chance.
The good news beloved, is that more often than not, our God is a God of second chances. Time after time, His people have gone against Him, betrayed Him, been disobedient to Him and even left Him. And time after time, He has come to their aid. For one example of this, see Judges 10. Our God is long suffering toward us and loving of us in ways that some could not possibly understand and others no only to well.
Let us not take his kindness for granted. Our goal should ever be to live our lives in a way that second chances are not needed. That having been said, it is good to know that they, through the grace of God, are available to us.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
We all know what it is like to make a mistake. Many times we find ourselves wide of where we should be and what we should be doing. There are times when this is a result of pure unintended accident and times when it is through malicious rebelliousness. In any case, having had the opportunity to rethink our decision, usually due to consequences that range from guilt to something, let us say, a bit more substantial, there is not much we would not do for a second chance.
The good news beloved, is that more often than not, our God is a God of second chances. Time after time, His people have gone against Him, betrayed Him, been disobedient to Him and even left Him. And time after time, He has come to their aid. For one example of this, see Judges 10. Our God is long suffering toward us and loving of us in ways that some could not possibly understand and others no only to well.
Let us not take his kindness for granted. Our goal should ever be to live our lives in a way that second chances are not needed. That having been said, it is good to know that they, through the grace of God, are available to us.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Pursuing God-8/18/2011
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:8
There is none among us who do not desire things. The things we desire are many and varied as are the ways we go about obtaining them. If we want better health, we curtail or drop unhealthy habits and see medical professionals regularly to guide us along the way. If we want better looking bodies, we push back from the table and pursue the gym. If we want greater knowledge, we pursue the books and other educational outlets.
The desire of every Christian is to gain heaven. The only way to accomplish this is to pursue a closer relationship with God. Much as desiring to drop a few pounds is useless without making the necessary sacrifices to accomplish it, desiring heaven and a closer walk with the Lord is an exercise in futility if we are not willing to expend effort. Let it quickly and firmly be said that heaven cannot be earned or deserved by works, but is the free gift of God through His grace and your faith, Eph 2:8-9. Like any relationship (and the obtaining of its benefits), it must be cultivated.
Beloved, our great Father has set the table for us. We have been invited to begin, develop and enjoy a rewarding and eternal relationship with Him. In that we were made beings with choice and free will, we must choose Him. Though He has given us every reason and ability to make that positive choice, He does not make it for us. Even the angels who He created far different from us have choice as evidenced by some chosing Satan. Many of God's beloved children have also made that same tragic choice.
You are invited to choose God. And while our intuition tells us that this is a one time message for non-believers, we are challenged to continually choose God in everything we do. Jesus advises us to take up our cross DAILY and follow him. It is only through this relentless pursuit that we will develop a close, warm, personal relationship with God. It is only when we exceed the rudiments of "going to church" that we begin to understand who God is, who we are in Him and the many benefits of a relationship with Him. If we would turn and seek after Him, we will find that He is ready, willing and desirous to welcome us and has Himself come far more than halfway. Like the father of the prodigal son, He is seeking us. When He sees us on our journey toward home, He will run out to meet us, closing the distance.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
There is none among us who do not desire things. The things we desire are many and varied as are the ways we go about obtaining them. If we want better health, we curtail or drop unhealthy habits and see medical professionals regularly to guide us along the way. If we want better looking bodies, we push back from the table and pursue the gym. If we want greater knowledge, we pursue the books and other educational outlets.
The desire of every Christian is to gain heaven. The only way to accomplish this is to pursue a closer relationship with God. Much as desiring to drop a few pounds is useless without making the necessary sacrifices to accomplish it, desiring heaven and a closer walk with the Lord is an exercise in futility if we are not willing to expend effort. Let it quickly and firmly be said that heaven cannot be earned or deserved by works, but is the free gift of God through His grace and your faith, Eph 2:8-9. Like any relationship (and the obtaining of its benefits), it must be cultivated.
Beloved, our great Father has set the table for us. We have been invited to begin, develop and enjoy a rewarding and eternal relationship with Him. In that we were made beings with choice and free will, we must choose Him. Though He has given us every reason and ability to make that positive choice, He does not make it for us. Even the angels who He created far different from us have choice as evidenced by some chosing Satan. Many of God's beloved children have also made that same tragic choice.
You are invited to choose God. And while our intuition tells us that this is a one time message for non-believers, we are challenged to continually choose God in everything we do. Jesus advises us to take up our cross DAILY and follow him. It is only through this relentless pursuit that we will develop a close, warm, personal relationship with God. It is only when we exceed the rudiments of "going to church" that we begin to understand who God is, who we are in Him and the many benefits of a relationship with Him. If we would turn and seek after Him, we will find that He is ready, willing and desirous to welcome us and has Himself come far more than halfway. Like the father of the prodigal son, He is seeking us. When He sees us on our journey toward home, He will run out to meet us, closing the distance.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)