THE UNFORCED RHYTHM OF GRACE
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
“Come to me...Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”Our world is full of divers religions, that had caught the attention of men everywhere, and Religion is all about do's and don'ts. Our God doesn't want religion but RELATIONSHIP. No wonder John 1:17 says that "...the law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth CAME by Jesus Christ"
Grace and Truth is JESUS! Grace and Truth brings Relationship and Responsibility not 'RELIGION'. God wants relationship not religion, that's why he made Adam! Read the full story!
It is therefore vital that we jettison the age old misconception of God and embrace His Grace and Truth! You can never be deserving of God. You will never get to such a stage in which you are worthy of God or His gifts! I think this could be one of the reasons why Jesus' teachings consistently attracted the irreligious people while offending the bible believing religious people of his day.
Like someone said, "when it comes to GRACE hyperbole is an understatement".
Infact all the people Jesus related with in his earthly walk were not worthy.
Zacchaeus was corrupt, Mary Magdalene was possessed, Peter was unstable. Even mighty Paul described himself as the "greatest of all sinners". He was an accessory to murder, infact he was a murderer by volition. Yea that's Grace!
The truth is that only a perfect God can accommodate human imperfections, not the other way round. The Bible says "he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust." (Psalms 103:14 NLT)
Jesus said, "Come unto me..."
Grace and Truth is JESUS! Grace and Truth brings Relationship and Responsibility not 'RELIGION'. God wants relationship not religion, that's why he made Adam! Read the full story!Like someone said, "when it comes to GRACE hyperbole is an understatement".
Infact all the people Jesus related with in his earthly walk were not worthy.
Zacchaeus was corrupt, Mary Magdalene was possessed, Peter was unstable. Even mighty Paul described himself as the "greatest of all sinners". He was an accessory to murder, infact he was a murderer by volition. Yea that's Grace!
The truth is that only a perfect God can accommodate human imperfections, not the other way round. The Bible says "he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust." (Psalms 103:14 NLT)
Jesus said, "Come unto me..."
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
“Come to me...Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
It doesn't matter what state you're in, just go to him.
Why? Because he knows how weak you are; he remembers you're dust. He can accommodate your imperfections. Those that are well don't need a doctor, Jesus said. Self righteous people can't need God. Only insufficient can. Self righteousness is actually moral relativism. The Pharisees specialized in it. They were suffocatingly religious.
Even when they went to church their prayer was always, "Thank God I'm not like that sinner over there..." Well "those sinners" are the very reason Jesus died. He died for you, he died for me. God is the God of the individual.
Bob Hartley puts it this way, our God sees beyond our past failures, our present struggles and our future concerns.
"Jesus' desire to be with sinners amazes me - but even more amazing is sinners desire to be with him"-Judah Smith.
There is the parable of the lost sheep. It wandered away from the flock and the Shepherd left everything to look for it. There is also the parable of the prodigal son who wandered away from home, when he came to himself and returned home see some of the events that transpired:
The prodigal son said, "I will get up and go to my father,and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness for him; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him fervently.
The son started his speech: ‘Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve but the father wasn’t listening. He was calling to the servants, ‘Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. We’re going to feast! We’re going to have a wonderful time!
My son is here— given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!’ (Luke 15:18-24 MSG)
That is not ordinarily the vision we have of God. A God embracing a sinner, throwing a homecoming party?!
In fact Jesus said God's angels throw a party each time a sinner repents and comes home to the Father:
"Count on it—that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.” (Luke 15:10 MSG)
"Count on it—that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.” (Luke 15:10 MSG).
Am certain that someone needs to see this:
"If you've given yourself permission to reject another person, one day you'll be standing outside while the Father throws them a party."
Now here comes the big one: "... Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ"
Grace always comes with responsibility (i.e Response - Ability to God's Love and Gift)
That's why all of the sinners Jesus spent time with never remained sinners!
They became renowned Apostles like Peter ushering in 3000 into the Kingdom by a speech, Evang. Zaccheuss whose repentance restitution and benevolence shook the nation, how about the renowned Apostle Paul who wrote most part of the New Testament? The list is endless. #Grace brings you into (relationship) God's Love that changes you: while #Truth bring you the 'RESPONS-i(a)BILITY' of Kingdom Lifestyle&Principles, to live out the LIFE of CHRIST genuinely!
Have you wandered far from God, doing your own thing...living a life of debauchery, like the prodigal son? It's time to come home to your Father. God is not judging you. He's actually anticipating your return. Please pray this homecoming prayer: "Father I come to you in the name of Jesus. You said if anyone comes to you, you'll never reject. I come to you O Lord. I know I have been a sinner, that Jesus died for me. I accept Jesus as my Saviour and my Lord. Amen."
...Have a Great Week Friends!
[cf: Leke Alder (jacknjillive.com) et al]
Why? Because he knows how weak you are; he remembers you're dust. He can accommodate your imperfections. Those that are well don't need a doctor, Jesus said. Self righteous people can't need God. Only insufficient can. Self righteousness is actually moral relativism. The Pharisees specialized in it. They were suffocatingly religious.
Even when they went to church their prayer was always, "Thank God I'm not like that sinner over there..." Well "those sinners" are the very reason Jesus died. He died for you, he died for me. God is the God of the individual.
Bob Hartley puts it this way, our God sees beyond our past failures, our present struggles and our future concerns.
"Jesus' desire to be with sinners amazes me - but even more amazing is sinners desire to be with him"-Judah Smith.
There is the parable of the lost sheep. It wandered away from the flock and the Shepherd left everything to look for it. There is also the parable of the prodigal son who wandered away from home, when he came to himself and returned home see some of the events that transpired:
The prodigal son said, "I will get up and go to my father,and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness for him; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him fervently.
The son started his speech: ‘Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve but the father wasn’t listening. He was calling to the servants, ‘Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. We’re going to feast! We’re going to have a wonderful time!
My son is here— given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!’ (Luke 15:18-24 MSG)
That is not ordinarily the vision we have of God. A God embracing a sinner, throwing a homecoming party?!
In fact Jesus said God's angels throw a party each time a sinner repents and comes home to the Father:
"Count on it—that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.” (Luke 15:10 MSG)
"Count on it—that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.” (Luke 15:10 MSG).
Am certain that someone needs to see this:
"If you've given yourself permission to reject another person, one day you'll be standing outside while the Father throws them a party."
Now here comes the big one: "... Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ"
Grace always comes with responsibility (i.e Response - Ability to God's Love and Gift)
That's why all of the sinners Jesus spent time with never remained sinners!
They became renowned Apostles like Peter ushering in 3000 into the Kingdom by a speech, Evang. Zaccheuss whose repentance restitution and benevolence shook the nation, how about the renowned Apostle Paul who wrote most part of the New Testament? The list is endless. #Grace brings you into (relationship) God's Love that changes you: while #Truth bring you the 'RESPONS-i(a)BILITY' of Kingdom Lifestyle&Principles, to live out the LIFE of CHRIST genuinely!
Have you wandered far from God, doing your own thing...living a life of debauchery, like the prodigal son? It's time to come home to your Father. God is not judging you. He's actually anticipating your return. Please pray this homecoming prayer: "Father I come to you in the name of Jesus. You said if anyone comes to you, you'll never reject. I come to you O Lord. I know I have been a sinner, that Jesus died for me. I accept Jesus as my Saviour and my Lord. Amen."
...Have a Great Week Friends!
[cf: Leke Alder (jacknjillive.com) et al]
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