October 24, 2013 | I Get It!

Thank you!

Have I mentioned lately what an incredible honor it is to learn scripture with you? Growing in Jesus with His redeemed community is heady and sweet. Thank you for sharing the journey!

Recently I taught the intricate scripture in Romans 5, where the message of grace beautifully shines through a remarkable combination of Hebrew repetitive comparison and Greco-Roman pith. Verse 17 is indicative:

            For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17 NASB)

In response, I received some marvelous notes. Here are a few:

I get it!

Pastor Wayne, I was so captivated by the message God gave you today that I wanted to hastily make my way to the stage while you were praying so I could deliver my testimony and share that I get it – I GET IT – I should be living like I am blessed with the TOTALLY FREE, FULL AND CLEAR, NO STRINGS ATTACHED grace given to me IN SPITE OF MYSELF, and that regardless of how bad I have been, HIS grace is greater still.  (Of course, the extreme introvert in me reminded me that I have been a recluse far longer than I have known of my desperate need for grace, so going on stage won’t be happenin’! )

My thoughts were swirling as I tried to really grasp that concept, and I SO wish I could come back each night this week to hear a continuation of the message in hopes that it could really sink in; that is, in such a way that I cannot lose it again; that I cannot talk myself out of it; that will allow me to lose this suitcase of guilt and fear to which I am chained.  Although I managed to crawl out of that suitcase long enough today to see the Sunshine and Grace available to me, I am still holding onto it like I’m on the end of a chain and the suitcase is my “shelter,” because it is familiar territory.  I want to live in the full freedom of God’s grace – not because of who I am but because of WHOSE I am!

Make mine a Milky Way

Wayne, according to my son, grace is like getting a candy bar in return for punching your brother. (Note: we made sure he is clear that he still understood consequences for sin!)

Thoroughly Thoreau

This quote from Thoreau’s Walden came to mind when we were discussing the intricacy of the text:

“To read well, that is, to read true books in a true spirit, is a noble exercise, and one that will task the reader more than any exercise which the customs of the day esteem. It requires a training such as the athletes underwent, the steady intention almost of the whole life to this object. Books must be read as deliberately and reservedly as they were written.”

Amen. Though scripture is not always easy reading, the results of such Bible study change lives. Thank you for the privilege of learning and reigning in life with you.