Love and Grace

 

     Critical judgments, holding onto guilt, blaming others and holding ourselves and others to a rigid and rule-oriented standard are exhausting and worthless. All of the above will keep us from a more intimate relationship with God. But, with God, theycan be overpowered with love and with His word.

     When you want to hurl a stone of hurt or gossip, Jesus says:

“But I tell you love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.”  Matthew 5:44

“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most-High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked”   Luke 6:35

     Jesus forgives us and others. When we want to blame ourselves or others, holding onto or offering guilt, again we are asked to love.

 Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.  Proverbs 10:12

Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.  Proverbs 17:9

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  1 Peter 4:8

     Jesus accused the law keepers of pride and hypocrisy. Holding ourselves and others to too high a standard and putting on a show for others to see, takes a toll on our spiritual, emotional and physical health. Allow your heart to find Jesus. Move the knowledge of His grace from your head to your heart. He sees through our lines of defense and the outer trappings of our lives. Rigid rules and rituals have been replaced by grace.

For the law was given through Moses, grace and truth through Jesus Christ. John 1:17

Lord,

Thank You for opening our hearts to You. You offer love and grace, forgiveness and salvation and you offer us freedom from all that binds us. Remove all of the heavy chains we carry around with us and reduce us to love.

In Jesus name,

Amen

     Back on Monday! Enjoy the weekend!