Here we are again my fellow brethren of the blogging tradition (as early in its states, as it may be) it is time to begin anew. Inasmuch as I would like to begin with something extemporaneous but, it’s not going to be that kind of a day. I feel the need to delve into something that has come of interest to me. I know that it may all sound like think-speak at this time but, I think it will all become clear momentarily. I have been pondering the mystery of love, life and faith for a while now but, I have missed out on something important: grace. Grace is for lack of a better word, mercy. Mercy is to be kind and forgiving; I know in my life I have needed many a time grace. Grace is to me a more physical part of faith. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Grace is seeing that you have done wrong and a person forgives you. Even though you don’t deserve it, a person had the grace to absolve you of the wrong you had done to them. Doesn’t it feel wonderful when someone forgives you for the stupid things you do? You don’t have to do something to receive grace; someone just gives it to you as a free gift. If you had to do something to obtain grace would it then even be grace at all? No it wouldn’t it would be forgiveness. As Romans 11:5-6 states: “Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.” If God said “I’ll pardon you only if…” it wouldn’t work, it just wouldn’t be grace. Lamentations 3:22-24 puts it well: “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.” I know at least for me if God didn’t grant grace I wouldn’t be here. I have screwed up many a time and many a time grace was given. God gives it as a free gift, just like salvation. It takes faith to see it, hope to believe it, grace to receive it and love to see it though. I am just glad someone had the stones to tell me about it. Remember to be gracious.
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…and Sometimes, the answer has been in front of you all along, and it takes the perseverance of a saint, the prayer of a warrior and the faith of a child to see the truth clearly: Love conquerors all.
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1Corinthians 13
Sometimes decisions in your life are difficult to make.