Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

Connecting Point: Grace and Truth

Lately the subject of generosity has been on my mind but as I read God’s Word, I’ve noticed how grace is an integral part of what it means to be generous. Jesus exemplified this in his life and ministry; he was both truthful and graceful.

“An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.’ ‘Master,’ said John, ‘we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.’ ‘Do not stop him,’ Jesus said, ‘for whoever is not against you is for you.’ As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?’ But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village,” Luke 9:46-56

I would like to share some Grace Lessons with you that I’ve been contemplating: One, arguments among believers in Christ are often rooted in self-interest. In order for relationships within the circle of Christianity to be healthy, we need to keep in mind Christ’s teaching. Approach others with an innocent heart. Be self-less. There are numerous occasions in the Gospels where Jesus stepped in to settle an argument. Aren’t we students of

Jesus even to this day? If arguments arise we should always check our own heart.

Two, remember we are on the same team. James and John were known as the “sons of thunder.” They lacked some grace; notice how they got ruffled because another person was casting out demons in Jesus name, saying “He is not one of us.” Within Christianity there are many believers that share the same core doctrines; some of the peripheral matters don’t separate us. Jesus reminds us to be balanced. In this case he was teaching the disciples to be graceful with another follower of Jesus who was actively ministering to someone in need.

Finally, consider your response to opposition. We understand that between Jews and Samaritans some past conflicts were unhealed. Maybe Jesus rebuked John and James because their approach was counterproductive.

It is Christ’s grace that brings us into his circle. But, at times when it came time for a “hard” teaching, he could leave one speechless. Kind of like the nose on a ’73 Cadillac Coupe Deville in a demolition derby, Jesus’s would nail all comers. It is Christ’s grace that brings us into his circle.

 

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