Tag Archives: Grace

Accepting Grace

Living in the Spirit
June 22, 2018

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says,
‘At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
   and on a day of salvation I have helped you.’
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way:

 We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also.
–2 Corinthians 6:1-4a, 11-13

Grace in both the Greek and Hebrew refers to God freely extending Godself reaching (inclining) to people because God is disposed to bless (be near) them*.

We celebrate the gift of God’s grace, but have we ever explored why it was given? If we accept the grace of God, what does it mean to do so in vain: empty, void, hence, worthless (“null”), amounting to zero (of no value or profit) **?

My pastor’s preschool-aged son made him a paper tie for Father’s Day which he proudly wore over his regular tie and called the congregation’s attention to it. It was cute but that did not really matter. What mattered was the recognition by a child of his father’s love, which was going to be their unconditionally, but which is far richer for both the father and the son when it is reciprocated. When we shun God’s desire to be near us, we render God’s gift of grace as worthless.

We live in a time of great dis-ease never knowing what the next news report will bring. Our society seems to be spiraling out of control and leaders nor followers seem able to remove themselves from the force of the spiral. This force is not of God. Paul assures us that there are no real obstacles. Now is the acceptable time for us to recognize the nearness of God and grab hold of God’s grace not turn our backs on it. We may be in for a rough ride, but our driver is unconditionally dependable.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we get caught up in the madness of our world and forget that you are near and with your love intact, we can face anything. Amen.

*http://biblehub.com/greek/5485.htm
**http://biblehub.com/greek/2756.htm

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Grace

Eastertide
April 3, 2018

Scripture Reading: Acts 4:32-35

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

What do we think about when considering the word “grace”? When I was a child I would most likely have answered grace is the prayer said before meals. A ballerina is graceful, meaning she dances in perfectly timed and placed motions. Theologically speaking grace is a gift freely given with no strings attached as in God’s grace saves us. The word translated “grace” in the above scripture refers to a gift freely given but with an interesting nuance.

/xáris (“grace”) answers directly to the Hebrew (OT) term 2580 /Kaná (“grace, extension-toward”). Both refer to God freely extending Himself (His favor, grace), reaching (inclining) to people because He is disposed to bless (be near) them*.

 Considering this word “grace” led me to wonder if I live my life in such a way that God would be disposed to be near me. Indeed, there are times I do not even like to be near myself. How can I, predispose myself to God, myself, and others?

Grace before meals suggests that each time we eat we recognize the food before us is the bounty of God’s gift to us of the earth which reminds us we are responsible for the care of the earth. Using all our skills and talents in proper times and places reflects our response to the interdependence of all people on that same earth. Every part of God’s creation has a purpose.

Those considerations bring us to the fundamental question are we living together with one another in such a way that God is disposed to be near us collectively. I fear we bring God to tears by our interactions or lack of interactions more than we draw him to us. We seem to search for things about which we disagree and rarely work toward finding the common threads that weave us together.

Individually being in right relationship with God is the first step toward being gracious. Intentionally working to love one another of necessity implies that we know one another. Taking the time to get to know the diverse people around us is a starting pointing toward learning to love them. Jesus mingled with everyone, sometimes much to the displeasure of the religious leaders of the day. He understood their lives and what formed them to become the people they were. He was thus disposed to be near them. Are we?

Prayer: Thank you for your every present grace. Help us to become people of grace working together within the framework of your divine grace. Amen.

*Strong’s Concordance see at http://biblehub.com/greek/5485.htm

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Small Things

Lent
March 9, 2018

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10

But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For w.e are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. –Ephesians 2:4-10

For some reason, I feel an obligation to write something about this scripture, but to be truthful you can just stop reading here and read it repeatedly inhaling it into every corner of your soul. God’s love is a gift we cannot earn, and we were created to do good works.

A friend lived in Austria for a few months on a learning fellowship several years ago. He became acquainted with a young man whose purpose on earth was to keep the telephone booths clean, which he did religiously. My friend could not understand how anyone could waste their lives doing such trivial work. I read in the paper recently that our telephones are one the biggest transmitters of the flu virus. I thought of that young man and wondered if he even ever thought that he was saving lives doing his mundane job.

Most of the good works we do may seem trivial, but they are important. Treating all people with dignity and respect can mean so much. They send the message that a person is a person of worth, holding a door, picking up a dropped item, offering one’s seat on a transit vehicle. If doing the small things well is ingrained into our souls, we are well prepared to do the greater things when necessary.

…whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward. Matthew 10:42

Prayer: Lord, groom our actions to do the small works well so that we will succeed when called to do even greater things. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

What to do about sin?

Lent
March 8, 2018

 Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10

You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved
                                                                                                                                    Ephesians 2:1-5

What is sin?  A fault, an evil deed, missing the mark, and being estranged from God are some of the possible definitions.  The scripture above seems to imply that sins separate us from living life fully and acceptable within the framework of God’s love. What holds us back from being ourselves?

We hear a lot about background checks these days. I had one when I worked at a church because it operated a child care facility and everyone who had even incidental contact with the children were checked for police records. Our national security requirements apparently require discloser of anything that might result in a person being blackmailed.  Such safety precautions are necessary, and I support there use. They, however, serve as an example of our relationship with God. Christ came to free us from all that holds us back from living in the fullness of God’s love frees us as we live in and through Christ.

I have noted a trend in the USA, at least, that what we identify as “bad” sins are usually only done by others and often small populations that do not include the ones doing the identifying. Voices loudly condemn homosexuality, but we hold in esteem people who lust for power or are greedy. We want to emulate them. According to Gallup Polls about 3.8%* of the population identify as LGBT while in my experience we all suffer from a touch of greed. We identify scapegoats to justify our own estrangement from God. We seem to believe that if we can identify someone we deem to be worst than ourselves it somehow justifies our behaviors.

All people, all of God’s children are invited to be alive together in Christ. (Emphasis added). We are not called to examine each other regarding what is separating us from that reality. We are to examine ourselves and support one another in our journeys toward wholeness.

Prayer: Lord, help me first take the log out of my own eye so that l can see clearly to take the speck out of my neighbor’s eye when and if they need and want my help. ** Amen

*http://news.gallup.com/poll/183383/americans-greatly-overestimate-percent-gay-lesbian.aspx
**Derived from Matthew 7:5

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Equipped

Advent
November 30, 2017

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

  I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Being whole in Christ is being fully equipped for whatever God is calling us to do. I visited my nephew’s farm recently where his wife and I wandered through the wooded area behind their home while she took pictures. The ground, beautifully carpeted with autumn leaves, lay in thick flat appearing piles. She cautioned me to be careful as the presence of the leaves masked the uneven ground beneath. I told her my physical therapist advised me to practice walking on uneven ground, which I could not do before my recent knee replacement surgery. My metal knee provides far more support than the replaced knee. Although it is still wise to be careful, I am now equipped to deal with uneven ground. God’s grace provides the equipment we need to deal with whatever issues we meet in our journey of faith.

“My Hope is Built on Nothing Less”
by Edward Mote, 1797-1874

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for equipping all your children to be whole as we are wholly yours. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Love

Lent
April 12, 2017

Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:1-4

So, if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

I wish that I could wave a magic wand over the earth and in one swipe make everyone whole, including myself. How many of the problems in our world today can be traced back to a gap in someone’s self-worth? How many wars happen because of the need for some to prove they are better in some way than others?

The source of wholeness has come. There is no magic wand; there was a cross. There is a man, we call him Jesus, who came to show us the way to wholeness and then took the additional, extraordinary step to fill the gaps in our relationship with God by giving his very life for us. Some call it atonement, making us at one with God. Some identify it as salvation. Some know it as the gift of grace. He called it love.

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul?

Prayer: Thank you Lord for your unconditional love. Thank you Lord for enabling me to love others. Amen.

*First verse of What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul Author unknown. See at http://www.hymnary.org/text/what_wondrous_love_is_this_o_my_soul_o_m

All scriptures are quoted from the new Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Life in the Spirit

Lent
March 30, 2017

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:6-11

To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. –Romans 8:6-11

The Greek word for flesh used here is sarx* and means merely of human origin or empowerment*.

4561 /sárks (“flesh”) is not always evil in Scripture. Indeed, it is used positively in relation to sexual intercourse in marriage (Eph 5:31) – as well as for the sinless human body of Jesus (Jn 1:14; 1 Jn 4:2,3). Indeed, flesh (what is physical) is necessary for the body to live out the faith the Lord works in (Gal 2:20)*

Flesh is a technical word in Paul’s writings, referring not primarily to physical acts (i.e., sex or eating) but to the fallen nature of Adam, thus humanity apart from grace. The old written code refers to observance of Torah divorced from the intentions and Spirit of God.**

We let ourselves off too easily when we limit Paul’s discussions of flesh to misuse of sex or overeating or things like these. Humans tend to gravitate toward the world of “what’s in it for me”. If obeying a series of laws gets us a better seat at the table, then we are in the game. The Hebrew Bible calls us to obey a series of laws out of our desire to demonstrate our love of God and God’s desire for us to live in community with God and all his children. His rules provide guidance for such a way of being.

God continued this quest by sending Jesus Christ into the world not only to model the life God envisioned but ultimately to enable us through grace to become whole and partners in building the Kingdom God desires. Why is it so hard for humans to grasp the truth that what is good for me is good for you and what is good for you is good for me. God is glorified when we can accept and live God’s truth.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we rely on our human nature more than we rely on you. Makes us whole, make us one. Amen.

*http://biblehub.com/greek/4561.htm

**The New Interpreter’s Study Bible, New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha, Abington Press 2003, page 2019

All scriptures are quoted from the new Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Faith Reckoned as Righteousness

Lent
March 9, 2017

Scripture Reading: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.’ Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness. –Romans 4:1-5

“Daddy, Daddy look what I did! I tied my shoes today all by myself. Watch see how I can do it!” This young girl is on the road to becoming fully the person God created her to be. God expects that of all of us and it has nothing whatsoever to do with earning God’s love. In our “what’s in it for me” world that is a little hard to understand.

Doing something because it is simply the right thing to do seems to be in short supply today. At times, it appears some feel they have a license to do whatever evil crosses their minds. I am sure most of us experience a flash of anger, perhaps based on fear, when someone cuts us off while driving but we do not chase them down and kill them for it. On the other hand, many are blessed while having a bad day by a saint who simply holds a door for us or picks up a package we have dropped. There is a bit of righteousness in both not responding in kind or worse to evil and in developing the art of kindness in everything we do.

There is a story of hell and heaven, The Allegory of the Long Spoons, where a person is given a tour of both. In hell, he sees people starving while setting before a banquet table full of food. The problem was their spoons were too long for them to bring the food to their mouths. In heaven, he sees the same scene where all are well fed. Using the same sized spoons, each person feeds the neighbor across from him or her.

God’s grace is not only a gift for all God’s children, it is a model for our way of being.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of your grace. Infuse us with your love so that we can be graceful toward others. Amen.

*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegory_of_the_long_spoons

All scriptures are quoted from the new Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Love Caste Out All Fear

Lent
March 3, 2017

Scripture Reading: Romans 5:12-19

Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. –Romans 5:18-19

What does it mean to be made righteous? Strong’s Concordance defines the Greek word translated as righteous in our scripture above as just in the eyes of God—describes what is in conformity to God’s own being*. A word we use to foster comfort in personal salvation, grace, seems to be tied to our relationships with others. Can justice exist outside of community?

Laws exist to standardize structures and processes related to human interaction. The rightness or justness of laws is based on the impartial facts of a given situation which demonstrates whether the issue is fair; whether it possesses the qualities of equity—a free and reasonable conformity to accepted standards of natural right, law, and justice without prejudice, favoritism, or fraud and without rigor entailing undue hardship:  justice according to natural law or right**. Jesus said he did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. (Matthew 5:17) When we practice his way of being based on loving God and loving others the law is fulfilled because the very nature of love results in justice.

The law became brittle in various times in the history of God including in first century Galilee and Judea. Hardened and no longer malleable to the world’s growth and progress, the law became a path to self-righteousness for some and a stumbling block for others in search of God. Jesus reset the paradigm placing rules in their proper order joined with the imperative of always living one’s love.

Fear is often the cause of the breakdown in the connection between rules and love. Fear of change is often the culprit. To be honest, it is probably easier to follow a whole book full of rules than engage with other humans toward living together in harmony. This is particularly true when we or our group believe we have the only correct interpretation of the rules. 1 John 4:18 assures us, There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.

Prayer: God of Justice who is Love, calm our fears, embolden our love so that your justice may rule our lives. Amen.

*http://biblehub.com/greek/1342.htm

**http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/equity

All scriptures are quoted from the new Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Love Will Work

Epiphany
January 29, 2017

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:1-12

‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. –Matthew 5:8-12

Jesus warns in the beatitudes that we must be very careful what we do in the name of God. What happens when we ascribe our actions as God’s plan when they relate more to self-interest? There may or may not be a problem with one’s self-interest. If self-interest takes away from the wellbeing of another, it is not of God. God created us to succeed; gave us a multitude of positive choices with which we might apply our talents and skills. I think God’s ultimate plan is that our talents and skills mesh well with our heart’s desires. The first rule of order in God’s world is that all our activities grace others with love. Anything we do in the name of God that does not grace with love is not of God. God is the ultimate judge of our behavior.

All people are children of God, created in God’s image. We cannot pick and choose among the world’s populations regarding who we are to love. We are even called to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44), a tough assignment in a world caught up in terrorism and oppression. These Beatitudes make it clear that our task is not easy, but I am very sure love is the only way that will ultimately work.

Prayer: Lord, grant us strength and courage for the facing of this hour*. Amen.

*Derived from hymn God of Grace and God of Glory by Harry E. Fosdick see at http://www.hymnary.org/text/god_of_grace_and_god_of_glory

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.