THE BRIDGE BETWEEN DIVINITY AND HUMANITY IS GRACE!

(Luke 1:17) “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

(II Cor. 12:9) “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

            We’ve perhaps seen incidents on television in the courtrooms where cases were tried. The alleged person convicted of the crime is assumed to be guilty. Facts and witnesses were presented to prove that the crime was committed. In the end, when the jury has had time to deliberate and a decision was made, the person was found guilty. In such cases, the judge will for some reason override the sentencing or lessen the time in favor of the criminal. “Grace” is extended to the condemned person. It’s the right and given authority of the judge to grant such pardon.

            We all were guilty of sins placed upon us because of Satan’s suggestion to Adam and Eve to disobey God in the garden of Eden. Sin passed down to us making us guilty as well. Grace, on the other hand, means that God having fully revealed Himself to us in His Son, all His righteous and holy demands have been met in Christ death and resurrection, so that grace is available for all. To all who believe forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Spirit are granted, so that there may be power to conform them to the standard - which under grace is nothing short of Christ Himself.

            Under law, God, so to speak, stands before us saying, "Give! Render to Me your love and dutiful obedience." Under grace, He stands with full hand outstretched, saying, "Take! Receive of My love and saving power. "Law says, "Do and live!" Grace says, "Live and do."

            When grace is given, it suspends the law which is present. As we observe the video clips posted today, let us really look at each case separately and notice the grace of God in each situation. The Pharisees and scribes followed Jesus during his ministry trying to catch him and trip him up in what he was doing. Jesus knew the law because he made the laws. Whenever someone came to be healed or delivered, they wanted to bring up what the law said that shouldn’t be done. Jesus had the power and authority to override and overrule any law of man. He cared and had compassion for the need of the human being first and foremost. His mission was to bring healing to mankind—spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally. If it meant healing and delivering on the Sabbath day or any Jewish custom day, he didn’t care. This always made the religious leaders angry and upset with Jesus, but he came to do the Will of His father. It even made Jesus angry in (Mark 3:5) when he saw how much they were so focused on the law rather than the healing of this man with the withered hand on the Sabbath day which was found in the “church house”- the synagogue.

            Grace doesn’t look at what you’ve done, how long you’ve done it, when you did it, or who you are. When Grace is received, it is our responsibility to accept it as a gift and walk in newness of life thereafter. (Rom. 6:1-2) "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"