THE CROSS. WHERE GOD'S JUSTICE AND GOD'S GRACE COLLIDE, BRINGING FORGIVENESS AND TRANSFORMATION !

THE CROSS. How many times have I gazed upon it and felt a multitude of emotions, thoughts, and contemplation. I see it physically often. On a church; on a hill in the mountains; on a rock by the ocean; on a chain that people wear as a reminder of their faith. I come to tears at times when I think what Jesus endured there….in my place. I think of how much sin was laid upon him by me, and every other person that has inhabited this world. Beaten, pierced, spat upon, insulted, defiled, mocked…by the very mankind that He had created to be in Relationship with ! In His humanness, Jesus asking the Father, “ If there is another way, please take this cup away from Me.” …” But your Will Be Done Father !” The Truth is that Sin Brings Death. It destroys and decays us as God’s Creation, and it poisons our world and our society/culture in an astounding way. No matter where you are from, where you were born, what your customs, or the basis of your beliefs, Sin will find you because you are a part of fallen mankind. One can deny it, and deny God, but there is no way to escape The Truth of your nature. In every person there are the things we struggle with and if left alone they will destroy us, from the inside out ! IN ALL HIS LOVE FOR US, WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT GOD IS INDEED A JUST GOD ! His Truth, Order, and Authority are not open to compromise. Defy Him and His Ways and there Will Be a price to be paid. Every Religion except Christianity puts their focus on behavior in terms of becoming “Better” using our own efforts and design. Follow this path, live by these rules, just try harder to be good ! Congratulations….all by self reflection and self wisdom you have evolved. Don’t Be Fooled. God Himself has defined our lives and how we must live. Obedient to Him. Desiring His Will, not our own. Worshipping Only Him with our entire being and mind, soul, and heart. Loving and serving others before ourselves. HE IS A JUST GOD, AND HE DEMANDS THIS FROM US AS HIS CREATION. The consequences of disobedience or rejection are clear….Sin, Death, and Separation. FOR OUR SINS, CHRIST ENDURED THE CROSS AND DEATH….GOD IS JUST.

“THE ROCK, HIS WORK IS PERFECT, FOR ALL HIS WAYS ARE JUSTICE. A GOD OF FAITHFULNESS AND WITHOUT INIQUITY, JUST AND UPRIGHT IS HE. Deuteronomy 32:4

FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, BUT THE FREE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD. Romans 6:23

THEREFORE THE LORD WAITS TO BE GRACIOUS TO YOU, AND THEREFORE HE EXAULTS HIMSELF TO SHOW MERCY TO YOU. FOR THE LORD IS A GOD OF JUSTICE; BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIM. Isaiah 30:18

When our Pastor Jason at Illuminate Community Church spoke the phrase that I am using in my title for this writing today, I was totally blown away. It was so visceral and perfect that God could use Jesus to not just embrace JUSTICE, but could at the same exact time embrace GRACE, all unto the SALVATION of HIS CREATION ! The Power and Authority to enforce a just death sentence on mankind; have His Only Son take our place; and in that act defeat Satan and Death; to provide all of us the forgiveness of Sin; and in the Resurrection of Jesus provide us Eternal Life !!! Talk about the POWER OF HIS LOVE FOR US !!! GRACE. So many times I hear people talk about “Grace”, and yet so many do not understand the true meaning of it. For many, grace is letting someone off the hook without requiring anything. No admission of guilt ( confession ),; no acknowledgement of a need to change and stop doing what was wrong ( repentance ); no appreciation and gratitude for a second chance….just the same old person doing the same incorrect things….Unless, the worldly powers that be want to enforce their current norms and beliefs. Then, the Hammer Drops ! God on the other hand gives Grace that will ultimately require us to change where it matters most….In Our Heart. God sees our heart, and He knows our motivations and our desires. Listen to the song, Holy Water, by We The Kingdom. It sums up exactly how we should view Grace in my heart and mind. “ I DON’T WANT TO ABUSE YOUR GRACE, GOD I NEED IT EVERY DAY. IT’S THE ONLY THING THAT EVER REALLY MAKES ME WANT TO CHANGE.” This is why GRACE can Never Be Cheap ! Grace came at a PRICE ! It came from the death of God’s Son Jesus. Think about that. Imagine the struggle Abraham had when God called him to sacrifice Issac and then intervened to stop him. God didn’t stop, because His Love For Us made Him give up His Own Son for our relationship with Him. THAT IS ULTIMATE LOVE. I feel humbled…and So Thankful.

FOR BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH, AND THIS IS NOT YOUR OWN DOING; IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD, NOT AS A RESULT OF WORKS, SO THAT NO ONE MAY BOAST. Ephesians 2: 8-9

BUT GOD SHOWS HIS LOVE FOR US IN THAT WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US. Romans 5:8

FOR BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW NO HUMAN BEING WILL BE JUSTIFIED IN HIS SIGHT, SINCE FROM THE LAW COMES THE KNOWLEDGE OF SIN. BUT NOW THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD HAS BEEN MANIFESTED APART FROM THE LAW, ALTHOUGH THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS BEAR WITNESS TO IT- THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST FOR ALL WHO BELIEVE. FOR THERE IS NO DISTINCTION: FOR ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALLEN SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD, AND ARE JUSTIFIED BY HIS GRACE AS A GIFT, THROUGH THE REDEMPTION THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS. Romans 3: 20-24

The true beauty of Maturing In Christ for me is the sweet balance of Law and Grace at times. God’s Commandments show us the perfect template for life….if one is perfect, and without sin. I am unfortunately a fallen man who sins. I Battle, I know right, but I still struggle….and it grieves me ! However, I am thankful that God has shown me His Ways and I have a Mark to shoot for. In His Grace, he has provided me a true Lifeline. JESUS CHRIST. In my faith in Him I am forgiven and saved….what a gift. The key however is that “in that grace” I have realized it’s price and value and it has changed my heart to “Desire To Please Him !” I need to be accountable, responsible, and obedient to His Will and His Ways. Saved. Free. CHANGED AND REBORN ! A new me, a new hope, and a new life. If you truly believe and follow Him, you will change….any less, and you must seek Him to Help You Understand and BE REBORN. Scripture speaks of wheats and tares; goats and sheep; hot and cold; lukewarm attitude and the results of it. SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL ELSE SHALL BE GIVEN UNTO YOU : Matthew 6:33. May you look at every Cross you see and may you understand the price Jesus paid and give your life to Him. Understand His Grace and Love, and Be Thankful for the opportunity to BE LIKE CHRIST :). IN HIM/JAA

FOR THE GRACE OF GOD HAS APPEARED, BRINGING SALVATION FOR ALL PEOPLE, TRAINING US TO RENOUNCE UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY PASSIONS, AND TO LIVE SELF CONTROLLED, UPRIGHT, AND GODLY LIVES IN THE PRESENT AGE, WAITING FOR OUR BLESSED HOPE, THE APPEARING OF OUR GREAT GOD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR US TO REDEEM US FROM ALL LAWLESSNESS AND TO PURIFY FOR HIMSELF A PEOPLE FOR HIS OWN POSSESSION WHO ARE ZEALOUS FOR GOOD WORKS. Titus 2: 11-14