The Order Of Grace

I was thinking this weekend about the little systems we develop to do things or cope with things. A way that we clean the dishes or an order that we have in certain drawers. If other people don't know the system or purpose of the system they try to fix it or put things out of order without realizing it.

"Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven." - Psalm 85:9-11 KJV

"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." - John 12:24 NKJV

God has His systems. We see it in nature.

Truth that passes through the cross springs out of the Earth. This method may not seem convenient for us.

The cross is so necessary. But how can we communicate that truth?

Like our little drawer system we can show someone and then live it out in front of them. I have had God's grace explained to me but I have also seen it lived out in front of me.

Yes, The grain of wheat must fall into the ground and die in order for there to be multiplication. A stone was rolled in place in front of Jesus' tomb but in a few days that stone was rolled uphill and away.

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb," - Luke 24:1-2 ESV

Without the cross there is no empty tomb. Other arrangements work for other things but they don't work for this. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other and The Righteous King looks down from Heaven when truth springs up out of the Earth.

Try as you might to get His attention some other way. It isn't going to work unless it is in His order. When we find that order we are wise to pay close attention.

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When Systems Collide

"And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, 'These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.' And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go." Acts 17:6-9 ESV

Grace is a heavenly system. When systems collide things get overturned.

See how oppressive regimes banned free speech and many different kinds of literature. Why? Different ideas are threatening to a system of oppression and control.

A system of grace is threatening to a system based on merit.

Don't be surprised when grace causes a reaction. It will. It should if it is truly grace.

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34 KJV

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4:12-13 ESV

Jason had no problem putting up money for freedom if that was what was needed. Jason was free already.

We must be led by God in how we function in different systems.

The Gospel is the message that wins souls. If my soul is won over today first in my experience of truth... my will... my emotions... my mind... then the message can have free course as I navigate the world around me.

"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:16-21 ESV