Grace

In the opening scene of the account we read yesterday, we were introduced to a whole cast of characters, each playing a very distinct role. First, we see the Pharisees, a bunch of religious men doing their religious thing . You can almost hear the hardness of their hearts as they throw the woman to the ground at Jesus’ feet. “Here Jesus, this woman wascaught in the very act of adultery. Moses said to stone her (which by the way is not true see Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22), what do you say we should to do with her?”

Can you relate to this scene? Has there ever been a time when you have “demanded justice” for some offense? Have you ever disguised God’s truth in a cloak of self-righteousness? Speaking for myself, I know I would have to plead guilty, as a matter of fact, I’m a repeat offender. God says that we are not to do that.

Read Matthew 7:1-5

So many victories were won for us at Calvary. Through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection we have been set free from the power of and the penalty for our sin. There is one word that pretty much sums up all that Calvary accomplished – GRACE.

Points to Ponder

Grace that justifies. and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus Romans 3:24).

Wonderful, unmerited favor of God. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, Ephesians 2:8).

GRACE that is greater than any sin we can commit. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more Romans 5:20).

GRACE that is adequate to meet all our needs. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8).

GRACE that is never exhausted. For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace John 1:16).

Having received such grace, should we expect anything less of ourselves than to extend it freely to others? Isn’t that’s what Jesus is telling us in the Matthew 7 passage, to check ourselves first? Isn’t He asking us to remember that we are all sinners saved by His grace? Isn’t He calling on us to give the same grace to others that He has given us?

Something to Think About

Next time you’re inclined to “cast stones” stop and think – who do I want to look like? A Pharisee, with a rock in my hand or Jesus, with grace in my heart?

©2012 Sandra Bivens Smith

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