By His Grace: Giving Up the Grind and Embracing God's Grace This EasterIhe Atụ

Day 3

You don't outgrow the need for Jesus' grace.

Yesterday, I spoke to my pastor about two different Hebrew words the Bible uses for sin. One of the words means doing something wrong. The other word has to do with doing something wrong in the confines of a relationship, adding an element of betrayal to that same wrong deed.

The story of the sinful woman in Luke 7 demonstrates that Jesus’ grace is great enough to cover a multitude of sins, but sometimes, it is not only the fact that I am ashamed of my sin that keeps me from walking in daily grace. Rather, it is the fact that I am a mature Christian who has sinned. After walking with Christ for years, I feel I should know better. I should do better. I should be better.

Like most lies, this is a partial truth. It is true that the pattern of approaching Christ to receive grace over and over again throughout our lives should transform us. The Bible tells us that after our initial salvation experience, we will undergo a transformation process in which we will be made increasingly Christ-like. So, it is true that I should expect to grow in Christ-likeness.

However, the Bible does not say that we will become Christ. In other words, there is no indication that we will stop struggling with sin altogether as mature Christians.

Read Luke 22:31-34 and 54-62. In the first of these passages, it is revealed that Peter--one of the apostles closest to Jesus and who had been walking with Jesus for upwards of three years--would lie, betraying Jesus. Peter was shocked by this revelation; he wholeheartedly believed that his defenses against the temptation to sin should be greater than what they proved to be in reality. Even though Peter was called by Jesus, knew who Jesus was, loved him, and followed him daily, he was still led astray by sin. Peter denied knowing Jesus three times and felt the depths of grief and embarrassment as a consequence. Luke 22:62 tells us that after Peter sinned, he fled from Jesus’ sight and wept bitterly. Although this act of betrayal temporarily separated Peter and Jesus when Peter ran from him, the gospel of John tells us that after Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus sought Peter out and offered him the opportunity to right his wrongs by confessing his love for Jesus three times just as he had previously denied him (John 21:15-19).

Jesus not only forgives sins committed in ignorance and immaturity; he seeks out his sinful saints and offers them the free grace he made available on the cross.

Reflection

Read the Bible references slowly and carefully. Reflect on the material and consider the following questions:

1. Why might it actually damage our relationship with Christ if we were able to live by our own will power rather than through Christ? Do you think maturing in your spirituality means becoming more or less dependent on Christ?

2. How did Jesus treat Peter after he sinned? What does this reveal about Jesus' relationship with his friends and followers?

Response

Pray, and tell God about what you have learned from these Bible passages. Ask God to illuminate anything you are struggling to grasp. Consider what you have learned about who God is from these accounts, and use what you have learned to direct your worship.