What a paradox! God is filled with enormous grace, while still being completely uncompromising. This is something only our God can do. Humanity certainly has no ability to flex this wide on its own. Sure, God can be gracious in me as well as uncompromising, but for me to repeatedly flex between these extremes takes a tremendous yielding to His Life and Ways.
As I look back over my years of walking with God, I am so amazed that the Father didn’t relate to me by my momentary reality. Instead, He always saw me according to my new creation. He loved me where I was, just as I was, through who I would be. I don’t understand the outlandish grace He demonstrates. It’s not like He wags His head and finger at my present reality. No, He loves me in my reality, treating me as if I were the finished product.
He never responds to me by my condition,
rather according to my destination.
He views where He’s going to take me and relates to that man.
So, does this mean that the Spirit didn’t convict me of sin? Certainly not! Am I saying God overlooks sin? Nope! God is Holy and uncompromisingly righteous, but He addresses me as a whole man, not a broken man. Because I’m a born-again man, He addresses me straightforwardly and directly when I’ve strayed from my actual Life. Things that fall out of line with my destination are addressed as foreign to my new nature. He doesn’t give them credence because that old nature is dead and gone. I’m the one who’s been the proponent, giving them more weight than God. He doesn’t just lay expectations on my flesh to perform what only He can perform. Our God works in us to will and do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).
He has walked with me, loving me at each step of the way. He speaks to me right where I am, never demeaning me or talking down to me. My self-focus and self-consciousness has been more of a deterrent to receiving His love than accepting it. Every moment of walking out my salvation has been steps led and covered by Him. He’s my Father and He’s able to address my sins in His timing. He has seen the true choices of my heart and responds to my intentions.
God’s grace is utterly shocking, especially in light of His uncompromisingly holy nature. Yet Christ Himself stands in the middle of this paradox, supporting its existence. And only in Him can we accept it.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
For if one man’s offense meant that men should be slaves to death all their lives, it is a far greater thing that through another man, Jesus Christ, men by their acceptance of His more than sufficient grace and righteousness, should live all their lives like kings!
Romans 5:17 PHILLIPS
He is precious, John! I can believe all of that and receive it, but to comprehend it? No one like Him; this post has brought a different level of awe — thank you, John!
An amazing post John. Thank the Lord for your defining and detailed articulations. I left your post astonished at God!
Really great post John. If this reality be in us; it gives us the grace to bear, believe, hope and endure the same for one another as established in 1 Cor. 13:7.
“. . .when I’ve strayed from my actual Life” This nugget of Truth is one to ruminate upon throughout my day as I practice His Presence. John, you always bless me, thank you dear brother.
He loves me in reality , treating me as if the finished work. Thank You, Father. Thank you, John for sharing
Thank you. This is quite a “wow” experience, as Tammy said. Quite a jewel of sharing, and quite an experience in itself.
I felt His fierce love so much for and in you.
Finally put into words what has been swirling in the Spirit. Praise and glory
WOW! Just WOW! – for now.
(this is one to read and re-read and relish…Wow!)
Bless you John!
OH WHAT A SAVIOR. Thank you for this sweet message