The Law of Love with Grace

 

Recently, I enjoyed a rich discussion with a spiritual son of mine about matters that I care deeply about.   His two questions challenged me and required some thought.  It is my hope that as a result of sharing this with you, you will be challenged as well. 

 

Although The Bible hasn’t changed, time and the media have caused change in our culture, and our mindsets.  Yet even the passage of time and the influences of the world cannot change the fact that we are still prone to sin, and wonder if we are  being punished?

 

1).  Does God still judge us and the world?  Does God use storms, earthquakes and natural disasters to judge the world under the new covenant?  

Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Law.  But the order of God, the nature of God, the hand of God; remains the same today as in the days of the Bible.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Being under the Covenant of Grace now, we are free from having to follow the Law of Ceremony and all that went along with it.  Jesus shed His blood for all of us and delivered us from what  was once required from man.  No more animal sacrifice, abstaining from certain foods, etc.  

God will judge on the Great Day of Judgment, and as to whether He works out His will through earthquake, fire, weather- it is my personal opinion that yes… some of these events are all part of the timeline and evidence of God’s will unfolding.  At the same time, I also believe that some of it has to do with the law of nature and the effects of man’s mishandling of the planet.  I believe they work together in His way, in His will, in His time.   God’s order is always intact and in place, even when the Enemy throws a lot at us and causes us to believe we are out of God’s order, and under chaos. 

 

2).  Does God discipline us as His children?  Specifically, does God use things that are painful to teach us? 

God is always teaching us.  The Lord, in His Divine Nature has the ability to know what we need in order to teach us how to become more like Him.  We all have different learning styles. Some learn from painful events, some learn from joyful events.  Because God created us, He is the only ONE who knows our DNA so intimately, that He orchestrates just the right sequencing of things, events, circumstances, in order to teach us about Himself.  

What is He trying to teach us most of all?  About Himself, and His love!   His measureless, endless, abundant love.  He wants to teach us to love with grace and wisdom.  He is LOVE, therefore He wants us to flow from, with, and IN love.   It is His way.  The gifts flow most powerfully and effectively with love.  

True Judgment belongs to God alone, as you already know.  But what I think we all need to be careful of, is that we often judge ourselves, without realizing we are doing so.  Some of us are more comfortable with the idea of being punished, reprimanded regularly, than we are with the idea that God’s love and grace are what He’ll often use in order to teach us, as well.  

Focusing on our depraved condition can be a tool in the hands of the Enemy which often robs us of the pure joy set before us. Reaching for and extending grace to ourselves and others is all part of flowing in the nature of God.  God doesn’t want us to feel judged and condemned, otherwise He wouldn’t say: “Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed” or, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”  I believe He wants us to be so connected and intertwined in His love, that our focus becomes one of gratitude; an attitude of awe at the wonder of His great love for us.   Humility flows through the grace, love and power of Christ being revealed in us.  If we mistake humility with constant abasement of ourselves, we’re on the false path of self-righteousness.  

Why am I harping so much on this one little area?   Because as a Minister, I often encounter Believers who need to have this explosion of truth, an encounter with God’s love and grace.  This revelation doesn’t let us off the hook in striving to become more like Him; toward the goal of excellence and maturing as Christians.  But what it does do, this focus on God’s love for us… is it allows the very nature and breath of God to breathe life into us, to inspire us to do greater things, and to genuinely love the Body of Christ, as He intends.   Oh is this ever my passion, to share the love and grace of God.  The Holy Spirit will always convict us where sin is involved, and lead us to truth, where lies are preventing us from becoming more like Christ.

By submitting to the leadership and the authority of the Holy Spirit, I am daily challenged to grow, to make decisions and choices that will tame my flesh and nurture the Spirit of Christ within me.  Do I succeed in this daily?   What, are you kidding me?   Of course not.   Not only do I have flesh to war with, I’ve got this will of mine, in addition to my Italian heritage which constantly tries to override the process of transformation, hello?   But overall, the truth be told, I do enjoy a daily dose of living in God’s grace, and bathing in His love.  I appreciate the opportunities He brings, to share His love and grace with others in whatever form it needs to happen in that moment of time.  Sometimes He just wants me to listen; that can be the most powerful demonstration of God’s grace at work in me.