Splendid Grace – June 4, 2015

Psalm 84: 10 -12     …For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You!

Revelation 21:23     The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.

Genesis 15:1     After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward."

Psalm 18:2     The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Proverbs 30:5     "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

We use the word grace to describe many things in our world:

A skillful dancer or athlete with extreme skill and coordination

An act of kindness, compassion or mercy

An articulate flow of words of praise

These examples should bring Christ to mind. The perfect personification of grace! Just imagine several examples. He stood with the woman caught in adultery when the law dictated that she should be stoned. The assembly of grace killers, who saw her but chose not to correct her, demanded the law be followed. Jesus chose to address all those involved, to those sanctimonious Pharisees, "He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone."  Grace! Under the Law they had every legal right to . . . and they were poised and ready to fulfill the Law. They were driven by their own deficits; yet, filled with self-righteous fire. Jesus stepped in with grace.

When Lazarus died, Martha and Mary both accused Jesus of neglect, not coming to Lazarus’ aid earlier: "If YOU had been here, my brother would not have died!" There are strong feelings in the accusation. Jesus listened to them in grace. He could have reacted in kind or dismissed them as histrionic; but He refused to respond on emotion. Showing emotional restraint is a form grace.

Grace was the theme of many of Jesus’ word and lessons. He was extremely gracious when teaching and interacting with children. The story of the prodigal son is demonstrative grace. Jesus shared stories of people who were caught in helpless situations where grace abounded.  Christ consistently spoke of and showed favor on the unnamed sinner who said, "God, be merciful to me…"  He showed the exact same grace from the cross; He refused to retaliate against His persecutors. His prayer in torture and torment  "Father, forgive them . . . " No resentment, no bitterness. Grace that surpasses all understanding! Liberating grace, the freedom and release that come with it; it comes in full force and richness from the only One on earth who had unlimited power, the Son of God