This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” We are a 15 months into this series and Friday morning I want us to think about some of the things we have learned. I started the series off by looking at the life of Jesus and how He was motivated by Grace everyday. Jesus is, after all, the greatest example of humanity synchronized with divinity. Jesus personified what we should all strive after.
While Jesus was a Jew and He understood the Law, He was more spirit-led than Law-governed. John tells us that Jesus was full of both grace and truth (John 1:14&17). Jesus’ heart and mind were unquestionably full of truth (the Word), but He shared divine truth from a position of divine Grace. Jesus did not study the Word of God in order to point out faults in others, or to feel better about Himself. Jesus studied the truth, but He did so in order to live a life full of Grace. This is what made Jesus different from the Pharisees and Sadducees. The Pharisees and Sadducees studied the truth, but they walked away from the Word feeling worthy, righteous, and somewhat indignant towards those who were not as outwardly righteous as they. Jesus teaches us that when we study the Word we should walk away with the understanding that none of us could be righteous outside of the grace of God.
This helps us understand Jesus’ modus operandi (M.O.). When presented with a woman caught in adultery by an angry mob of supposedly righteous people, Jesus did not see the two categories of people the Pharisees did. The Pharisees saw these categories: 1) righteous (them) and 2) unrighteous (the woman). Jesus saw: 1) an unworthy person who knew she was unworthy (the woman), and 2) unworthy people who had fooled themselves into thinking they were worthy (the Pharisees). This mistake is made over and over again throughout scripture and in modern times. Would Jesus protest a gay parade with signs telling gays they are going to hell? Would Jesus picket an abortion clinic with signs telling young girls they are murderers? Now, you might be thinking, “Wait a minute Rick. Are you supporting homosexuality and abortion?” Of course not, but I am pointing out that individuals who consider themselves gay and those who have chosen to perform an abortion are people just like us. We are no better than they are and our sin is no smaller than theirs. Sin is sin and we are all unrighteous outside of Jesus. My point is that we will never reach someone by sticking our finger in his or her face. Jesus hated the sin, but loved the sinner. We preach that today, but it is much more easily preached than practiced.
Jesus cared more about the heart of a prostitute than about her practices, and because He loved her she walked away from prostitution. Jesus cared more about the heart of the adulteress woman than about her promiscuous ways. After showing the woman the love of God, He then asked her to sin no more. In Jesus’ day divorces were initiated by men and Jesus cared more about a woman who had been dumped by five husbands and who was shacking-up with a man who was not her husband, than about her loose living. Jesus gave her living water and she became the first missionary to preach the arrival of the Messiah. Today many Christians would not have even talked to her, much less heard what she had to say. They would say she was not “qualified” to preach; as if they are.
So what does this mean to you today? It means that if you want to compare yourself to someone, compare yourself to Jesus. Don’t compare yourself to other people, because we are all flawed. You might compare yourself to someone you consider great and it could lead to low self-esteem. Or, you might compare yourself to some you consider yourself better than and it could lead to a feeling of self-righteousness. The only person you should truly compare yourself to is Jesus. Every time you compare yourself to Jesus you will see where you are walking in the love of God and where you are not. At the end of the day, you are called to be a Christian. This words means “like Christ.” If you want to be like Christ then you MUST walk in love and operate in Grace. Anything less is missing the mark.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for this Word. I take the time to reflect on this series and what I have learned from it thus far. In the life of Jesus I see an example of how I am supposed to live. Jesus was full of Grace and truth. I must admit that I have been more full of truth than grace. I thank You for Your Word and I am committed to studying it all the days of my life. The goal of my reading and study is to allow my learning to turn into living. I know the Bible is not a textbook to study, but rather a Life-book to LIVE! I want to live what I read and I declare, by faith, that I will. I will walk in love all the days of my life and I will be a conduit of Your Grace everywhere I go. My love for You Father is proven when I show that love towards others. I live out my passion for You when I show compassion towards others. I seek to love You with all my heart, mind, soul and strength, and I also seek to love others with the very same love in which You have loved me; which is an unconditional and unwavering love. Your love and Grace have come TO me, and now they flow THROUGH me everyday and in every way. I am submitted to You Father and I believe You will use me to touch someone today with Your love, Grace, mercy, kindness and goodness. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
