Grace Abounds

"Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned -- sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the effect of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. If, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:12-17 NRSV).

In other words: God’s grace turns our world upside down! It’s just not logical to be loved in spite of our sin! It doesn’t make sense that no matter how defiant and disobedient we are, God loves us all the more! How can that be?! It seems so improbable that God in the form of Jesus Christ would walk the earth among us and stand in silence before his accusers. Why didn’t he defend himself? Why didn’t he lift his eyes to heaven and call out to his Heavenly father! Why?

Why did he do that? Why would anyone? It is inexplicable to be loved so powerfully! It is unfathomable that a God so big would love us so very much. It is unimaginable that we are of such great value to one so great and mighty! The One who made the earth and placed the stars in the sky--the One who waits for us in heaven -- Alpha and Omega -- is the One who watches over us and cares for us and loves us through this journey called life on earth.

But again, we must ask, “Why?” I don’t know! I love my children beyond description -- and my husband. I would certainly die for any of them. But would I die for you? Would I silently walk up that hill to be hung on a cross for my neighbor across the street? Or for the person in the check out line at the grocery store? Or the mechanic who works on my car? Would you?

I hope you spend today reveling in truth that Jesus died for you.

Blessings on your journey,
Mary

Wooed by the LORD

Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me. Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, from my mouth has gone forth in righteousness a word that shall not return: "To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." (Isaiah 45:21-23)

I preached about God’s questions and declarations in these verses several months ago. One notable fact: LORD is in all caps and that indicates the supreme, ultimate god above all other gods. The gods who were worshipped in Isaiah’s time and long after that were vindictive and demanding gods. They required sacrifices, ritualistic offerings, and they were very fickle. One never knew if the god was pleased or angry, or if the sacrifice was sufficient to either placate or compel to action whichever god was the subject of worship.

More than that, icons of the gods were crafted, and many of them were huge, made of wood, or gold or stone. If a family relocated, they had to take their icons with them; villages had to transport them to whatever location was designated for worship vs. the usual “holding place” for the statuary. These gods were constantly demanding, cold, uncommunicative and impersonal.

For all these reasons, it was difficult for the prophets to convince their contemporaries that there was another god – one who deeply desired to be in relationship with them; a god who loved them and had offered, even after Adam’s fall, a way to paradise. Remember, Christ had not come on to the scene at this point.

God made his promise, and then swore by himself-since there was no one greater to swear by – sort of like we would say “I swear on my life.” It was serious and important. Even though we say we are “Easter People,” living out our resurrection promise, we continue to worship false gods, don’t we? There were and never will be any gods that offer what the LORD offers. Think about all the things and people we worship with our money, our time, our minds, our bodies. We haven’t really changed much as a race in all the thousands of years since Adam and Eve.

We still think we can treat the LORD as we do all the other gods in our lives. We worship, honor, obey Him when it’s convenient. We seek His presence in times of need. We thank Him only when we receive what makes us happy. All the other gods in our lives – every single one – wear out and disappoint us. None of them can fulfill and sustain us for a lifetime the way the LORD can.

Have any of those other gods ever offered us anything close to the priceless gift of Jesus, his life, death and resurrection? Do any of them even come close? People disappoint us, possessions burn up or are destroyed by flood or wind, stolen, coveted, hoarded. They zap us of our energy, our time and our resources. They do not replenish us. Nor do they offer us eternity in paradise.

They are short-term gods, suitable and satisfactory only for the here-and-now.Actually, they aren’t even satisfactory! If they were, we wouldn’t feel so bad pursuing them! God doesn’t require us to pursue Him. He is ready and waiting for us!

He woos us and dotes on us and longs for us to realize He is already present in our lives. This is so counter to everything else in our lives, it may be difficult to grasp and believe. But it is true. The LORD wants you to be with Him in heaven, and He has already prepared a place for you. That truth makes it a bit easier to give up all the other gods and offer all our honor, praise, prayers and thanksgiving to HIM. By Him, every tongue shall swear.

My prayer today is that you cast aside all the false gods in your life. And that you take comfort and rejoice in the truth that the LORD loves you and longs for you.