It is in the right place in this storyline and this journey of grace.
No horsing around here, just a purposeful work.
C = Corralling those who
thought they didn't need it...
Inside a church many
years ago, full of verses and laws, sat a group of men who were waiting for a
man.
This man would not be just any man, but he would be from God. Sacred words
were deeply stored in their hearts...
"For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is
given; And the government will be upon
His shoulder. And His
name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace. Of the
increase of His government and peace there
will be no
end, Upon the throne of David
and over His kingdom, To order it and
establish
it with judgment and justice From
that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of
the LORD of hosts will perform this."
Isaiah 9:6-7
Only one
problem. They had gotten so wrapped up in the least important parts that when
he showed up, they saw him as an enemy.
He tried to get them to see, but they
were blinded by their own importance. When confronted about their pompous
attitudes they grew angry instead of apologetic.
Oh they're not the only ones to
miss the mark even if they felt there was no need to measure their life.
One
young lawyer proclaimed he had kept all the commandments, only to walk away
when asked to give of what he had held back so he would help the poor.
Another
ambitious young Jewish man wanted to know who is neighbor was only to be laid
bare after Jesus used a Samaritan dog to compare his compassion to.
There may
be some of you reading this today, you have been "good". I just have
one question, "how good is good enough?"
Grace, that's the only good
enough, realize this and it will make your load much lighter.
Grace is the only answer to your need to bring your pride, sin, emptiness, hurt, forgiveness or ???? under control. To corral the ungodlike behavior.
It's grace, nothing more, nothing less.
Want to be corralled? Sounds constricting, but it's freedom!
Till next time...
