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Grace is not an excuse for sin, grace ables us to overcome sin. It's grace that God does not leave us alone in our sin. We are blessed in that we have a savior that fights for us and with us. A savior that knows all too well what it is like to be human and knows having a relationship with God is more than keeping the does and don'ts of a rule or law (Romans 6:14 NIV). He understands we are truly entangled in patterns and mindsets we cannot see (Isaiah 59:2 NIV). That's why Jesus came, He came to give us what we need, not what we deserve (John 3:17 KJV).
For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace (Romans 6:14 NIV).
But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear (Isaiah 59:2 NIV).
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:17 KJV).
I once heard a pastor by the name of Ron Carpenter say, "Religion will break a person to keep a rule, but Jesus will reach past a rule to reach a person." That is so true. Pastor Carpenter was not saying that Jesus does not uphold the law, he was saying that Jesus understands where people are and that they know not what they do. He was saying that Jesus is willing to reach past the way things should be to rescue us from ourselves and from a fallen world. He does this so He can lead us on a path towards righteousness (1 Corinthians 9:21-22 NIV). It's what He did with the woman caught in the act of adultery and it's what He still does with each and everyone of us today (John 8: 10-11).
To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some (1 Corinthians 9:21-22).
Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said.“Then neither do I condemn you,”Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin (John 8: 10-11 NIV).”
Such a great love and such a great Father that He would recognize our affliction against Him and rescue. He sees not that we are bad, but in need. He sees that we are perishing from a lack of knowing the truth and His love for us would not set back and watch it happen. He selflessly came to earth to go through hell on our behalf so that we could be rescued from the hell we would aimlessly create in our lack of understanding.
my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. "Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children (Hosea 4:6 NIV).
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36 NIV).
He loves us so perfectly. He patiently waits for us to choose Him. When we struggle and doubt in His goodness He does not get offended by our anger towards Him. He understands we are where we are and dealing with what we are because we thought we knew better than Him what is true and how to live (Proverbs 14:12). But, He waits and He helps (Deuteronomy 31:6), until we are ready to come face to face with our creator and surrender to His will and way (Psalms 46:10). He meets us there in all His glory revealing to us what's been hidden from our face and what has been hindering us from being free (Psalms 8:36).
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV)."
There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death (Proverbs 14:12 CSB).
He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth (Psalms 46:10 NIV)."
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (Psalms 8:36 NIV).
Praying:
Father, thank you for sending your son to come and dwell among us and meeting us where we are so that we can gain the knowledge that we need to come back into alignment with you. Thank you for seeing our need and hearing our cry. Help us to only hope in you, understand that we will not be put to shame by hoping in you. That one day, when we are ready, you will meet us on our road and help us to see how much God loves us. Help us to get there. We know and trust that you are faithful and that you have never lost one that your Father has given you. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.