Tuesday, December 12, 2006

December 12, 2006

Good morning and Merry Christmas! What is grace to me? In the days of yore, or perhaps only about 20 years ago, when I was well on my way as an intellectual wanna-be, I knew Christianity from the restrictions. Don’t do this; you can’t do that, etc. Number one on the list, Grace is not a list of “don’ts and can’ts.” Number two on the list, Grace is not a prescribed list of chants. The monks and monasteries had their purpose, but God would not have all of us lock ourselves away from the world and chant endlessly. Number 3, Grace is not a loud rant. I do not believe that Jesus would have hoisted a placard and yelled into a bullhorn. Isaiah 1:18 says “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (KJV) Jesus reached out to even the Pharisees with reason and patience. Number 4, Grace does not condemn. We have the Law to point out our sins, and there are many in all of us. Grace sets us free by removing the chains of sin, not to do as we please, but rather to glorify God with our good works. Lastly, Grace sets us free from this world and welcomes us home in Jesus. When God sends out the call, whether it be the small voice calling one of us personally, or the loud shout signifying the end for all; we will come home to Jesus through Grace.

The grace of God goes with you this day,

Bucky

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