We complete our post on May I Not Miss My Day of Visitation by relating below two stories that show the balance of grace and truth, what every believer’s life must embrace.

“A Sinner’s Acquittal
Some religious leaders caught a woman in the act of adultery, and they wanted to put her to death. Actually, they just wanted to catch Jesus contradicting himself in front of a crowd. Would he uphold the laws of Moses (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22-24) by agreeing to her stoning? Or would he deny the law and continue with his unreasonable mercy toward sinners? It was a vicious trap, and Jesus seemed to be caught in it.

Of course, these critics made no mention of how they happened to be present for this adulterous act nor of the adulterous man, who would have been equally guilty and punishable. The goal was to get Jesus to either deny the law or deny his own mercy. Instead, he affirmed the universal guilt of every human being. It isn’t that some people deserve punishment; everyone does, rather God’s radical mercy applies to all who will receive it.” – Taken from NIV Life Application Bible

Have you? Or are you still finger pointing? Truth confronts and invites you to make a choice!

“The Neighbour
Some of us major in grace but neglect confronting people with the truth lest we offend them. Others of us major in truth but fail to show God’s grace to people. But Jesus was ‘full of grace and truth’, and that’s the balance you must strive for!

A man with little interest in spiritual matters related casually to the Christian who lived next door. They talked over the back fence, borrowed each other’s tools, and stuff like that. Then sadly the non-believer’s wife was stricken with cancer and died. Here is part of a letter he wrote afterwards: ‘I was in total despair. I went through the funeral preparations and the service like I was in a trance. After the service, I went to the path along the river and walked all night. But I didn’t walk alone. My neighbour – afraid for me, I guess – stayed with me all night. He didn’t speak; he didn’t even walk beside me. He just followed me. When the sun finally came up over the river, he came over and said, “Let’s go get some breakfast.” I go to church now. My neighbour’s church. A religion that can produce the kind of caring my neighbour showed me is something I want to find out more about. I want to love and be loved like that for the rest of my life.’

Any farmer will tell you that before you sow your seed, you must prepare the ground. ‘Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them’ (Romans 12:9 NLT). When you treat people with grace, they will open their hearts and minds to the truth you want to share with them.” – Taken from Word for Today by Bob and Debby Gass

Selah.



Pastor Afolabi Oladele