Ephesians 1:7 7 In
him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in
accordance with the riches of God’s grace
Candidly, I know of nothing that has the power to change us
from within like the freedom that comes through grace. It's so amazing it will
change not only our hearts but also our faces. And goodness knows, some of us
are overdue for a face change! Were you reared by parents whose faces said
"No"? Or are you married to someone with a "No" face? If
that is true, you envy those who had "Yes"-face parents or are
married to "Yes"-face mates. All of us are drawn to those whose faces
invite us in and urge us on.
During his days as president, Thomas Jefferson and a group
of companions were traveling across the country on horseback. They came to a
river which had left its banks because of a recent downpour. The swollen river
had washed the bridge away. Each rider was forced to ford the river on
horseback, fighting for his life against the rapid currents. The very real
possibility of death threatened each rider, which caused a traveler who was not
part of their group to step aside and watch. After several had plunged in and
made it to the other side, the stranger asked President Jefferson if he would
ferry him across the river. The president agreed without hesitation. The man
climbed on, and shortly thereafter the two of them made it safely to the other
side. As the stranger slid off the back of the saddle onto dry ground, one in
the group asked him, "Tell me, why did you select the president to ask
this favor of?" The man was shocked, admitting he had no idea it was the
president who had helped him. "All I know," he said, "is that on
some of your faces was written the answer 'No,' and on some of them was the
answer 'Yes.' His was a 'Yes' face."
Freedom gives people a "Yes" face. I am confident
Jesus had a "Yes" face. I have never seen Him, but I've determined
from what I've read about Him that this was true. What a contrast He must have
been! He was surrounded by lettered men, religious, robed, righteous,
law-quoting, professional men whose very demeanor announced "NO!"
Pious without, killers within . . . yet none of their poison seeped into His
life. On the contrary, He revolutionized the entire direction of religion
because He announced "Yes" while all His professional peers were
frowning "No." That has intrigued me for years. How could it be? What
was it that kept Him from getting caught in their grip? In one word, it was
grace. He was so full of truth and grace, He left no inner space for their
legalistic poison.
Thought for today:
Are my life changes the result of grace?
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