"HIS Grace Is Enough!"
Jesus Is Enough Part One
Colossians 1:1-8
Today we are going to begin a new series on the book of Colossians. We will spend the next seven Sundays digging into this book.
Question; Have you ever wondered -- IS Jesus enough?
Listen; We live in a world - much like that of the Colossian Christians. A world where a lot of people and groups - though they aren’t necessarily against Jesus - they don’t feel that Jesus is enough.
What they told the Colossian Christians and what they tell us is that we need Jesus PLUS something else: Jesus plus ‘their’ teachings (book of Mormon; Watch Tower; New age books...etc); OR THEY tell us, we need Jesus PLUS the right ritual; Jesus PLUS pagan astrology; Jesus PLUS our own effort; Jesus PLUS oriental ‘new age’ mysticism.... Jesus PLUS the American Dream.
Paul under the direct inspiration of THE Holy Spirit - wrote this letter to let the Colossian Christians know, and to let every generation and culture since the first century, know in no uncertain terms - that Jesus Christ is enough!!!! Jesus, is ALL we will ever NEED!!!
Now we need to understand; that these heresies; that these false teachings at their root, are BOTH dethroning Christ and denying his finished work on the cross and that is why they need to be stopped...
Now I think there were 2 factors that made the Colossian Christian’s particularly susceptible to these types of heresies; #1; the Colossian church was made up for the most part, gentiles who had very little background & knowledge of God and who just recently left a religion, that could best be describes as ‘blended paganism;’ and second; the Colossian Christians, were people from a small declining town (feeling unimportant) and people who feel unimportant are usually prey to teaching that promises
The theme text for this study is Col 2:10;
"YOU have been given FULLNESS In Christ, who is the Head over every power and authority..."
As Paul writes this letter he spends the first 2 chapters exalting Jesus, telling us how His grace, His Lordship, His Word is enough! And then as is customary in most of Paul’s letters, after hitting us with God’s truth - He then challenges us to put that truth into practice in our everyday lives.....
Today, we want to talk about How His grace is enough.
Colossians 1: 1-8
PRAYER
Have you ever watched something or heard about something and either thought to yourself or said out loud (as your bottom jaw dropped) , "THAT’S AMAZING" Things like: a gymnast or figure skater performing for the gold, Michael Jordan airing it to the basket, The space shuttle returning to earth, Someone flossing their nose, And How about computers, e-mail and fax machines, they just blow me away....
You know, there was a time when people were Amazed with things that we now take for granted, things that are not a big deal anymore.... Television, automobiles, microwaves, air conditioning, radio 8 track stereos (believe it or not)...etc.
You see the life-span of something being considered amazing is often very short lived... But there is something; that is truly Amazing... perpetually Amazing... Something that has not faded in it’s brilliance in nearly 2,000 years -- And that Something is, God’s Amazing Grace.
In the verses we read this morning -- a phrase in verse 6 literally jumps out at me and grabs by the heart and it has done so for years.....
"All over the world this Gospel is Bearing Fruit and Growing, just as it has been doing among you, since the day You HEARD and UNDERSTOOD God’s GRACE in ALL it’s truth..."
Circle; "bearing fruit" "growing" "hear" "Understood" "In all it’s truth"
Underline; "the day"
Listen; This verse should put us on a quest, a quest to understand God’s grace in a greater way -- to have it mean more to us then just the definitions we’ve been taught ("God’s unmerited favor" - "getting what we don’t deserve") -- Those words should motivate us to take Grace from the theoritcal and theological -- into the experiential and practical...
One popular author has written a book -- I haven’t read the book but I’ve heard the title and I really like it -- A GRACE AWAKENING. That’s what I want us to do today -- begin to awaken to the grace of God in all it’s truth and all it’s power....
And when we do, it will change our lives & ‘our’ church, like it changed those it Colosse.
But before we talk about what God’s grace can do, I want us to talk about;
What God’s Grace Has Already Done
To do that let’s read a couple of passages;
"When we were UNABLE to Help ourselves, at the moment of our NEED, Christ died for us, although we were living against God. Very few people will die to save the life of someone else. Although perhaps for a GOOD person someone might possibly die. But GOD shows HIS Great Love for us in THIS way: Christ died for US while we were still sinners." Rm 5:6-8 (NCV)
"GOD MADE Him who HAD NO SIN to be sin FOR US, SO THAT IN HIM we Might become the righteousness OF GOD" 2 Cor 5:21
What’s SO Amazing about grace is that God died for us when we were His enemies/sinners (people rarely risk their life for a friend --let alone for an enemy), God paid the price for our sin Himself -- Jesus went to the cross NOT for His sin but for ours..... Now, that’s Amazing! (Think About it!)
We were sinners, we were guilty, we were deserving of death -- Yet, IN Christ we are given the righteousness of God. "In Christ," God looks at us and He does not see our sin.... But rather He sees His own righteousness, a righteousness that he gave us. God gave us, grace -- undeserved favor and riches -- It’s Amazing -- would you or could you do something like that? God has!! And only God can!
Jesus gives us a picture of grace in;
Lk 7:36-50
Wow what a story, Just about everything we need to know about sin, sinners and grace is in here.
Okay, let’s try to picture the scene. Jesus has been invited to a dinner by a Pharisee named Simon... The Pharisee’s were self righteous men who loved to make rules for ‘other’ people to follow. They felt as though they were the spiritually elite -- that they had already arrived-- they had jotted all their jots and crossed all of their tittles.. They saw themselves as kind of a religious aristocracy.
Now, these are not the kind of guys that you picture throwing a party and if they did -- you can’t imagine them having a good time... After all to them life is just too serious with all of these laws to keep track of.... Therefore, I am sure that the other guests that the text mentions were also Pharisee -- you know the saying, "birds of a feather flock together...."
Someone has referred to this party as a BYOR party "BRING YOUR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS" PARTY. And the Pharisees and his guest were confident that they, had plenty of that.... You know, maybe the reason they had the party to begin with, was to impress Jesus with themselves..."JESUS LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT ME.."
But little did these men know that their party was about to be crashed by a women, a sinful women -- more than likely a prostitute -- The Pharisee and his guests refer to her as , "A WOMAN OF HER KIND " she was, "one of those women.. "
AND SHE CRASHED THE PARTY BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE A TICKET, WHEN YOU’RE DESPERATE. SHE WAS EITHER GOING TO BE THROWN OUT OR IT WAS GOING TO BE THE BEST PARTY OF HER LIFE (IT WAS WORTH THE RISK)...
ONCE INSIDE, SHE WENT STRAIGHT TO JESUS... SO WHAT IF SHE WAS UN INVITED? SO WHAT IF SHE WAS THE ONLY ONE CRYING... SO WHAT IF HER PRESENCE PUT THE HOST AND HIS OTHER GUESTS INTO CARDIAC ARREST?
SHE HAD TRIED EVERYTHING ELSE AND SHE NEEDED RELIEF. YOU SEE, SHE HAD HEARD ABOUT JESUS, MAYBE FROM A BLIND MAN WHO HAD RECEIVED SIGHT, OR A LAME MAN WHO HAD BEEN MADE TO WALK -- OR MAYBE FROM ANOTHER WOMAN OF THE NIGHT WHO WAS GIVEN A NEW START.
LISTEN; This lady represents all of us who have come to the conclusion that we are lost, helpless and hopeless. We’re not invited to the Big party called life. We’ve tried to get prettied up for it but as we head out the door and look in the mirror we see that we are still misfits -- that we still don’t measure up no matter how hard we try. Morals, religion, rationalizations, resolutions, good deeds, concoctions, connections nothing seems to work..... we can’t seem to buy any real joy -- but there is someone who will give us some.
You know, when she burst into the room -- these men must have choked on the lamb chops -- Some probably took one look at her and wanted to make a quick exit out the door.... Others maybe wanted to hide under the table for fear of being recognized as one of her costumers... But whatever happened we can be sure that the atmosphere took a drastic change when she entered the room.
AND WHEN THE REAL MOMENT OF JOY CAME -- WHEN JESUS ANNOUNCED THAT HER SINS HAD BEEN FORGIVING HER... THESE GUYS COULDN’T HANDLE IT... THIS WASN’T THEIR IDEA OF A GOOD TIME FORGIVING SOMEONE WHO DIDN’T DESERVE FORGIVENESS -- THEY WOULD HAVE MUCH RATHER REBUKED HER SINS AND CAST STONES AT HER.. SO THEY REVERTED TO WHAT THEY ALWAYS FOUND TO BE "SAFE" AND "ENJOYABLE" -- IGNORING THE TRUTH/’SIDE STEPPING’ THE REAL ISSUE AND ARGUING OVER WORDS..."WHO IS THIS MAN WHO EVEN FORGIVES SINS?"
What’s so Amazing about God’s grace is that he forgives us just as we are (as we saw with the prodigal last week, ‘pig dukey and all’....) NO, we don’t have to get all dressed and prettied up to earn HIS forgiveness -- in fact, in trying to earn it, some have even lost it.... All of us are in debt to God because of our sins. All have fallen short - Rm 3:23. We are all in the same boat, but listen -- it’s our perception of our sin, that "really" matters. For you see, our perception of our ‘own’ sin determines 2 very important things: how we approach God and how we live our lives...
Some approach God with this attitude, "I AM HOPELESSLY LOST -- THE DEBT IS TO BIG -- I CAN NEVER PAY IT MYSELF" WHILE OTHERS HAVE THE ATTITUDE OF "WELL YEAH I MAY BE A LITTLE BEHIND IN MY PAYMENT, BUT I’M STILL DOING PRETTY GOOD."
You see that night at The house of Simon the Pharisee, the prostitute was not the only sinner, was she? No there was a house full of them.... A room full of fallen sinners, sinners in the very presence of God -- The only one who can forgive sins -- And yet only one, felt the need to fall on her knees and cry out her sorrows to the Lord -- and she was even "one of those women."
The thought of confessing their own lostness, unworthiness and helplessness was a thought that didn’t even enter the minds of the Pharisees.... But -- Wouldn’t it have been great if all of them, after seeing Jesus’ response to the woman, would have fallen weeping at the feet of Jesus saying, "YES JESUS I AM A SINNER TOO! FORGIVE ME TOO JESUS!
To qualify for welfare, you have to admit you’re poor....
To qualify for bankruptcy, you have to admit you are broke...
To get well, you have to admit you’re sick...
AND to go heaven, you have to admit, that you are HELL BOUND.....
Now, people are willing to do the first three, BUT the 4th? That’s a tough one. That’s enough to trip up a fellow. It’s NOT easy for a decent guy to admit that he is a sinner - lost and headed for hell... It’s hard for a pretty girl to confess spiritual destitution... But they need too....
Listen; if we are to be saved, it is because God rescued us, and not because we learned to swim....
The truth of the matter is -- what all of us need to understand is that all of mankind (you & I) are the 500 denarii debtor... none of us is able to pay the debt that our sin has incurred (a debt so great, that it’s payment nailed Christ to the cross).. And those who realize this, come to Jesus just like that woman did, not prideful with chest out but humbly on their knees, weeping before Him.
We are to empty ourselves of any self-value and fall at his feet like the paupers we really are. And when we do, when we admit that he is everything and we are nothing ... when we admit that we have no hope with out him...
And then when we like the woman, realize that he hasn’t turned us away... But rather, has reached down to brush away our tears and to lift us up, saying your sins are forgiven...we too will weep
WE ADMIT OUR POVERTY, AND HE MAKES US RICH
WE MOURN FOR OUR SIN, AND HE COMFORTS US
WE COME TO HIM IN MEEKNESS, AND WE INHERIT THE EARTH
WE HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND WE ARE FILLED WITH THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD!!!!!
NOW, IS THAT AMAZING OR WHAT??......
WHEN WE REALIZE HOW GREAT OUR DEBT IS (WHEN WE ARE NOT LIKE THE PHARISEES WHO CONSTANTLY SAY, "WELL I’M NOT AS BAD AS SO AND SO") YOU SEE, THE BIGGER THE DEBT FORGIVEN, THE GREATER IS OUR LOVE. THE MORE UNSELFISH IS OUR SERVICE... WHAT THE PHARISEES THOUGHT THEY WERE GIVING GOD THROUGH THEIR ELABORATE SYSTEM OF DO’S AND DON’TS, FLOWS NATURALLY FROM GRACE-SATURATED HEARTS THAT ARE BURSTING WITH LOVE FOR CHRIST.
JESUS SENT THE WOMAN HOME IN PEACE.
THE PARTY WAS OVER.
THE PHARISEES LEFT IN TURMOIL.
SIMON VOWED TO WATCH HIS DOOR MORE CLOSELY NEXT TIME. AFTER ALL, THE ONLY ONE WITHOUT AN INVITATION WON THE GRAND PRIZE?
THAT’S THE WAY GRACE IS.
IT BLESSES THOSE WHO ADMIT THEY NEED IT...
AND IRRITATES THOSE WHO THINK THEY DON’T. ..
THOSE WHO NEED IT FIND IT, AND GO AWAY IN PEACE .
THOSE WHO DON’T THINK THEY NEED IT, DON’T FIND IT AND JUST GO AWAY.
Okay, That IS what His grace has done - and it is BOTH amazing and enough!!!!!
Now, What GRACE Can DO
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE BEGIN TO REALLY GRASP AND UNDERSTAND GRACE? WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE, LIKE THE COLOSSIAN CHRISTIANS - NOT ONLY HEAR BUT ‘UNDERSTAND GOD’S GRACE IN ALL IT’S TRUTH?
Paul tells us three things that happened as a result of this awakening to God’s Grace in the Church at Colosse.
One result was, A faith in Jesus Christ that reached all the way to the ears of Paul in Rome.
Another, An agape, ‘sacrificial’ love was displayed for all the saints...
And the 3rd, The lives of the people in the church, were bearing real fruit and growing....
Yes when God’s people hear and understand His grace in ALL it’s truth it will produce;
a faith that is alive and active
love that is demonstrated and lived out for all the saints
and a life that bears fruit and is growing.....
Listen; Grace is powerful... and God wants us to understand His Grace -- He wants Grace to be more than a theological term...
Grace is something; we are to be aware of and live every moment of our lives. Grace is something; that when understood enables us to live a more Christlike life...
To be awaken to grace keeps us aware of the impact of our sins and the forgiving power of God. And this awareness reminds us of our worth to God while at the same time preventing us from thinking to highly of ourselves. Our view and grasp of God’s grace will effect the way we live.
One author gives 3 example of people he knows who were all saved by grace, but that is really the only thing they have in common -- their lives are so different.
CLYDE CAME TO CHRIST AS A TEENAGER HAVING ATTENDED CHURCH FOR AS LONG AS HE COULD REMEMBER WITH HIS MOTHER AND SISTERS. HE WAS CAREFULLY LED BY HIS BIBLE SCHOOL TEACHER THROUGH THE 5 STEPS OF THE PLAN OF SALVATION (H-B-R-C-B)....
HE MATURED AS A PERSON AND AS A CHRISTIAN. HE WAS VERY CAREFUL TO LIVE RIGHT, TO BE A GOOD EXAMPLE, TO BE FAITHFUL, TO LIVE ON THE SAFE SIDE. HE WAS A GREAT BIBLE STUDENT AND HE SELDOM MISSED AN ASSEMBLY AT THE CHURCH. AND HE LED SEVERAL PEOPLE TO CHRIST DURING HIS OWN SPIRITUAL CHILDHOOD. TRUE HIS PRAYERS BEGAN SOUNDING ALL THE SAME, BUT MAYBE THAT WAS BECAUSE HE PRAYED SO MUCH.
BUT LATELY HE’S GROWN JUDGMENTAL. HE LIKES TO SIT AT CHURCH AND IMAGINE WHY SO AND SO ISN’T THERE. AND CRITICAL. PEOPLE JUST AREN’T DOING WHAT THEY OUGHT TO. WHY CAN’T PEOPLE BE LIKE HIM? HIS PATIENCE AND COMPASSION ARE WEARING THIN. HE’S GROWN NEGATIVE. THE ONLY GOOD PREACHING TO HIM IS PREACHING AGAINST SOMEONE OR SOMETHING...
"SHE’LL NEVER MAKE IT, AND WE NEVER DID IT THAT WAY BEFORE", ARE 2 FAVORITE PHRASES OF HIS. HE IS LIKE A PAST DUE CARTON OF MILK, SOUR. HE SEEMS HAPPIEST WHEN HE IS UNHAPPIEST. HE IS MORE ANXIOUS TO STRAIGHTEN OUT SOMEONE THEN HEAR HIM OUT. HYPOCRITES ESPECIALLY SUNBURN HIS SOUL.
PROBLEM CHRISTIANS GET STRANGE TREATMENT FROM HIM. IF THEY ARE DOING WELL HE GREETS THEM WARMLY AS BROTHERS. IF NOT, IF HE GREETS THEM AS MR OR MRS. HE DRAWS A CIRCLE OF GOD’S FAITHFUL PEOPLE PERIODICALLY. INSIDE THE CIRCLE ARE THE SAVED (INCLUDING HIMSELF OF COURSE). OUTSIDE ARE THE LOST. AS THE YEARS PASS THE CIRCLE GETS SMALLER AND SMALLER. AND HE SEEMS TO BE ENJOYING IT!
HE HAS BECOME LESS AND LESS INTERESTED IN BRINGING PEOPLE TO CHRIST, BECAUSE MOST OF THEM WOULDN’T HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE CHRISTIANS ANYHOW. BUT HE DOESN’T HAVE TO WORRY. HIS NEIGHBORS AND WORK MATES AREN’T INTERESTED IN HIS FAITH ANYHOW.
AND THEN THERE IS MILLIE; THE DAUGHTER OF AN ELDER. SHE WAS REALLY A STRAIGHT ARROW FOR JESUS UNTIL HE RETURNED FROM COLLEGE. THEN SHE BECAME ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO BOTHERED CLYDE SO MUCH. SHE ONLY COMES TO CHURCH WHEN SHE FELLS LIKE IT. MISSES THE LORD’S SUPPER MORE OFTEN THE NOT.
PEOPLE GENERALLY FELT HER JOB AS A FLIGHT ATTENDANT WAS A BIG PART OF HER PROBLEM. AND THEN THERE WAS HER BOYFRIEND WHO WAS A NON CHRISTIAN. THE PEOPLE SHE RAN WITH FROM THE AIRLINE WERE PRETTY WILD. AND SHE DIDN’T HID THE FACT THAT SHE DRANK WITH THEM. HER BOYFRIEND WAS INTO WATERSKIING ON SUNDAYS, SO HE NEVER CAME WITH HER.
DON’T WORRY PEOPLE HAVE TALKED TO MILLIE ABOUT HER FAITHFULNESS TO JESUS (OR LACK OF). BUT SHE JUST SHOOTS BACK THAT SHE HAS BEEN FREED FROM RULES AND REGULATIONS. SHE IS A CHRISTIAN AND NOT AN ISRAELITE UNDER THE LAW OF MOSES SHE SAYS. SHE INTENDS TO BE A HAPPY, LIBERATED CHRISTIAN, NOT A GRUMP LIKE CLYDE. FEW KNOW SHE IS A CHRISTIAN. SHE ONCE TRIED TO HELP A GIRLFRIEND WHO THOUGHT SHE MIGHT HAVE AIDS, BUT WHEN JESUS AND THE CHURCH CAME UP, THE GIRL TOLD HER THAT SHE WAS JUST AS MUCH A CHRISTIAN AS MILLIE ANYWAY.
AND THEN THERE IS BRIAN, HE’S IN LOVE. WITH JESUS. HE IS AS ENTHUSIASTIC TODAY, 8 YEARS LATER, AS HE WAS THE DAY OF HIS NEW BIRTH. MAYBE MORE.
HE IS FOR EVERYTHING. AND EVERYBODY. HE LIGHTS UP THE ROOM. BUT ONE THING HE DOES IS PARADOXICAL. AS GREAT A CHRISTIAN AS HE IS HE CONSTANTLY TALKS ABOUT HOW GOD IS DELIVERING HIM FROM THIS SIN AND THAT SIN. HE’S NOT TRYING TO IMPRESS YOU WITH HIMSELF, BUT WITH GOD.
HE’S GOT SO MUCH PATIENCE WITH STRUGGLING SOULS BECAUSE HE STRUGGLES TOO. ABOUT THE ONLY TIME HE MISSES A CHRISTIANS ASSEMBLY IS WHEN HE’S SITTING UP WITH A SICK FRIEND, OR TRYING TO TALK SOME ONE INTO COMING WITH HIM. I GUESS HE FORGETS THE TIME.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THESE PEOPLE?
GRACE..............
THE UNDERSTANDING OF GRACE IN ALL OF IT’S TRUTH.
NEITHER CLYDE OR MILLIE UNDERSTANDS GRACE, BRAIN LIVES IT.
TO THE EXTENT THAT CLYDE OR MILLIE REMINDS US OF OURSELVES, NEITHER DO WE UNDERSTAND GRACE...
Here are a few more things that grace can do for us:
THROUGH GRACE WE CAN LOOK AT OURSELVES HONESTLY
On the one hand with a greater grasp of grace, we can admit that we are sinners because it’s true-- it’s what we are, and because there is a remedy for that sin (Christians are sinners in the hands of a loving God). We can also freely admit that no matter how hard we try, we still fail MISERABLY at times. And this kind of attitude, leads to real repentance and real change.
And on the other hand our understanding of Grace will also help us see clearly see our true value in God’s eyes. Grace teaches us that we are worth God’s best, the death of His son... And with that truth firmly grasped, up goes the value of the stock of our self-image, worth and hope.
Grace awareness helps us maintain this balance, The balance between the need for an awareness of our sin and the need for an awareness of our worth and the forgiving power of God.
GRACE ENHANCES OUR APPRECIATION OF OUR SALVATION
"God paid a ransom to save you from the impossible road to heaven which your fathers tired to take, and the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver, as you well know. But he paid for you with the precious blood of Christ, the sinless spotless lamb of God..."
-- 1 Pe 1:18,19 (LB)
An orphan boy was living with his grandmother when their house caught on fire. The grandmother, trying to get upstairs to rescue the boy died in the flames. The boys cries for help were finally heard by a man who climbed an iron pipe and came down with the boy hanging tightly to his neck.
Several weeks later, a public hearing was held to determine who would receive custody of the chid, A farmer, a teacher and the town’s wealthiest citizen all gave reasons why they should be chosen to give the boy a home. As they talked the boy’s eyes remained focused on the floor.
Then a stranger walked to the front and slowly took his hands from his pockets, revealing scars on them. as the crowds gasped the boy cried out in recognition. This was the man who had saved his life and whose hands had been burned when he climbed the hot pipe. With a leap the boy threw his arms around the mans neck and held on for dear life. The other men silently walked away, leaving the boy and his rescuer alone.
Those marred hands had settled the issue....
And for us, it is NOT marred hands BUT ‘scarred’ hands that settle the issue. While we were orphaned to sin many things wanted us to live with them (possessions, pleasure, popularity & power) -- BUT listen the issue of who really cares for us, was settled 2,000 years ago on a hill called calvary and we with JOY should leap into his arms...
God’s grace reminds us, of what has been done and what has been given... and should result in as Paul says in Eph 1:6, "THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORIOUS GRACE (IT IS GLORIOUS ISN’T IT), WHICH HE HAS FREELY GIVEN US IN THE ONE HE LOVES."
GRACE IMPROVES OUR EMPATHY FOR THE LOST AND STRUGGLING.
When we understand God’s Patience with us (boy is he patient with me), ours with others improves. And our genuine concern deepens.
GRACE ALLOWS US TO BE RELAXED IN OUR CHRISTIAN LIVING
When we really grasp what God’s grace means, our service to God will be not motivated by fear or trying to measure up (WE DON’T HAVE TO EARN OUR SALVATION, ETERNAL LIFE OR WORTH IN GOD’S EYES) -- because we realize that IN CHRIST we already measure up.
THEREFORE our service is motivated by love-- A response and show of gratitude, to A God, who loves & accepts us as we are....
GRACE CAN NOT ONLY CHANGE INDIVIDUALS, BUT IT CAN CHANGE CHURCHES..
Church can become a place of openness and honesty -- qualities sometimes missing from Churches... We won’t have to pretend we have everything all together -- that we have arrived when we haven’t... churches can then become the places God intended them to be. Hospitals for the sin sick & life worn, where the gospel cure can be administered, instead of museums for the display of waxed superficial perfection.
Churches WILL become places where we can practice what James said in his letter, "A PLACE WHERE WE CAN CONFESS OUR SINS TO EACH OTHER (WE NO LONGER HAVE TO FAKE PERFECTION) AND PRAY FOR EACH OTHER, AND INN SO DOING BRING ABOUT HEALING"
Grace -- it is amazing.... What it has done and what it can do...
And grace is ENOUGH; Like the Lord told Paul in 2 Cor 12:9;
"MY GRACE is SUFFICIENT for YOU..."
In the 1930’s the Golden State Bridge was built. Many lost their lives at one time the loss of life became so bad that Engineers, safety experts & Civic Authorities met to seek a solution. The work had fallen hopelessly behind schedule because of the fear of the workers falling to their deaths....
Costs were soaring. Bond holders were fearful of losing large sums if the work was not completed on schedule. Finally, the suggestion was made that a large net be hung under the bridge to catch any workers who might fall. But the cost was nearly prohibitive. But what about the cost in human lives? Finally the net was seen as the only solution. It was obtained and hung and work resumed. But workers were skeptical until one day a worker fell from the span into the net and was rescued. From that day forward confidence was restored, the work moved more quickly then ever. And the bridge was finished on schedule.
That’s grace - the net of God’s love which relaxes us to serve Him in love. BECAUSE we know we are already loved, accepted, forgiven and headed home...
We have nothing to prove ONLY a grateful life to live....
