ministering sin?
Even
the Jews who were avoiding immorality of their day, had recognized that no one
is righteous before God and that right relationship with God could only come by
faith in the Messiah. Accepting this
truth, many Jews put their faith and trust in Jesus. But the scary part of grace is the unknown. What
happens when the law (a rule) is no longer a requirement? Will humans toss aside all restraint and just
sin freely? It seems this was a concern
of some Jewish Christians in Paul’s day who may have thought reinstating
certain laws would help people avoid sinning and offending God.
Do you ever see this
in today’s expression of Christianity?
Certain criteria we have for those who are “true” Christians? One of the dangers of this kind of thinking is
that we forget that our experience with God is not a one-time sinner’s
prayer. It is an ongoing process where
wounded, damaged, disillusioned people have chosen to fall on the grace of
Jesus for help. Lives have been messed
up and need some remodeling—and remodeling is messy!
If we are using a criteria
that consists of anything beyond real faith in Jesus, then we are setting up a
justification through works that will cast out anyone who is not as “far along”
in the process as we ourselves. And do
you think there is ever a time to repent of “good works”? What if they are being used as justification
before God? Good works should always
issue from a transforming
relationship with God through Jesus Christ, but they will never, ever, secure
and bring us into that relationship.
Paul points out that
the law never succeeded in making anyone righteous. The law brought, and brings, a realization of
the evil in our own hearts. But the
kindness of God leads us to repentance.
We are enabled to receive the grace and forgiveness of God and we can
rejoice for His supply of grace is boundless.
I didn’t use it all up when I prayed the sinner’s prayer. There is more for me tomorrow when I struggle
against sin. There will be grace to love
and forgive others. I enjoyed His grace
in the past, but it is still there for me to enjoy in the present, and I can
look forward to enjoying even more in the future.[1]
The reality is that
when I am abiding in, and walking with Jesus, I am in a relationship that
issues forth the fruits of God’s love
and grace, not my sin.
Read and Pray:
Psalm 143:1-2, Romans 2:4, 3:9-20, Luke 15:7
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