Remembering Grace on Palm Sunday

"Good and Evil...do not reside in things but always in persons."

                                                                                                      ~ Paul Tounier


This week I attended the visitation of a friend's wife who passed away suddenly.
I knew her, but briefly; that is to say, I had met her once or twice and knew her name.
Yet, in the pictures displayed and the testimonies of those with whom I spoke who knew her well; two things became increasingly evident.
First - she had an infectious smile with the spirit to match it toward all people.
Secondly, like Christ, she will rise again.

This has brought to mind one question about our lives lived out before God and man.
What can we count on from God?

You and I are not guaranteed our ministries - they can disappear when a clique with power wants you gone; you're suddenly replaced with worldly thinking motives.
We're not guaranteed our homes - they can burn or be flooded in an instant.
We are not guaranteed our own safety - thousands are harmed each day without consent.
And we're not guaranteed even our own lives - no one knows the day or hour we will breathe our last, except God Himself.

So, what can we count on from God?

Friend, you can expect three things in this world, with the third coming from and being supplied by God.
Here it is: The World is good. The World is fallen. The World can be redeemed.
And this is applies to the universe and every person in it.

Much of the Gospel centers around people who are fallen, but essentially good people, but are faced with the choice of needed redemption.

One of my favorite instances in Scripture where this plays out dramatically is found in the

Gospel of John, chapter 4; it is Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well in Samaria.

As Jesus broke the social boundaries of the day, He revealed that she had previously had five husbands and was currently 'shacking up' with a man who was not her husband.
She revealed that she was a true seeker by asking about the coming of the Messiah and questions of worship.
And it is obvious that this woman wants to do the right thing, she just needs a nudge in the right directions; as Jesus instructs her and reveals for the first time that He is the long-awaited Messiah, this unnamed woman becomes the first person to go out and actually bring others (including the city elders) to meet Christ.

She was good, fallen and in need of redemption all at the same time. 
And what I have found in life, most people are in the exact same situation on a daily basis.

Now, maybe you don't think so.
I challenge you to remember the Christ-mandated mission of the Great Commission; this all-important mission was led by a traitor. 
His name was Simon Bar-Jonah, better know to us as the Apostle Peter.

You see, many of Jesus' choices underscore His redemption and the human's regeneration by the Holy Spirit.

Bill Wilson was the found of Alcoholics Anonymous. He once stated that pain is the price and touchstone of spiritual rebirth.
And it's true.

To have our spirits honed into the purpose of Christ, many times it has to endure a season on pain and suffering.
In those times of trial and tragedy, often like Job, we do not understand what God is doing. If you are in that situation in life right now, remember we do not live life according to explanations, we live according to faith.

The grace of God in our lives isn't a magic formula as some would have us believe; instead, grace is a balm activated by a daily dependence on God.

There are some, even mature Christians, who envision God as Zeus-like.

He is a powerful man with lightening bolts aimed at wretched humans who anger him in the heavens.
But God works from below; through His people, by His Spirit.
He works through and in spite of our weaknesses; opening up to our hearts the possibility of redemption for everything I despise about my own sins in my heart.

In the end, looking at the Body of Christ as God's people; we can see even those we value as precious have their failings.
And this teaches me that God values our character more than our comfort and more than those times when we stupidly stumble before Him.

Our continuing maturing in Christ may cause us some difficulties and at times, some harsh roads to walk in life - but on the other side of those trials, we know things about ourselves, our character and about God that we would not have otherwise known had we not walked through those dark valleys.
In the end, I am inclined to believe that tough times are tough...with the purpose of realizing how great our God truly is and what He truly means in our lives.

The great King of Israel, David, proves to us that our personal relationship, maturity and walk with God can survive even the most horrid and appalling acts of disobedience.
King David was at first described as a 'man after God's own heart;' in later years, he committed adultery with Bathsheba, murdered her husband and lied to the nation. And still today, it is David who is revered among all other kings.
The reason is because of his repentant heart.

For all sins where we really blow it - David is the prime example; but let me compare him to some infamous men from modern times.

President Nixon has a lot of admirable intellectual achievements; both while in office and out of office in the remaining years of his life.
Yet, the downfall of Richard Nixon was secret taped recordings within the White House of the Watergate Affair.

In the same manner, President Clinton had some admirable accomplishments; but few remember anything about those accomplishments. 
Instead, we tend to remember the infamous 'stained dress.'

Yet, of both President Nixon and Clinton, there was never a confession of wrong doing.

Presidents Richard M. Nixon and Wm. J. Clinton

Nixon tended to live in what I call an 'ethical netherworld;' and was never really a likable person in the public eye.
Clinton lived in his own world; yet, I've met President Clinton and I can testify that he is truly a likable person.
But neither of these men  ever confessed their wrong doing; Nixon - not on his lying about the Watergate break-in and Clinton never confessed his sexual promiscuity.

King David confessed before God and man.

When Nixon was interviewed and had a chance to explain what had happened, he would simply repeat, 'mistakes were made,' of the Watergate affair.
President Clinton would only, and even today, admit what had already been revealed on the news and broadcast nationwide. 

King David went into a deep repentant state by admitting that he had, 'sinned against the Lord.'

President Nixon today is regarded still as 'Tricky Dick,' a man who was shady and manipulative. 
President Clinton is remembered as a sexual predator; a man who would tell half-truths resulting in whole lies; one who cannot be trusted.

Years after David confessed before the Lord, and still today; Israel did not remember him for his lust and sin. Instead, Israel's chroniclers remembered David as the standard of faithfulness to achieve in life.
Today, King David is remember for His devotion and willingness to admit and repent his wrong-doings.

This tells me that the world's way of doing things still isn't right after 6,000 years of recorded history. Instead, if you and I want to be great in the Kingdom, we must humble ourselves in repentance with open hands so that we might be filled with His Spirit resulting in grace and mercy.

And there are others in Scripture who teach similar things.

Elijah ran from Ahab and Jezebel after standing boldly against their prophets of Baal in the famous 'Rain Contest' on Mount Carmel.
Elijah was coaxed back by God; not from being scolded, but by being whispered to in the Spirit and fed by ravens.

Peter had returned to fishing; but at his lowest point, Jesus restored Him in a private conversation on a beach in Galilee.

As the world is good, fallen and in need of redemption; as humans, we are righteous, sinners

and in need of repentance - every day.
If you have stumbled, just remember, God is undeterred by our betrayal and failings; His grace and mercy makes all things new.
And that includes your heart and spirit - day by day.

And this, my friends, the empowerment of the Spirit of God into our hearts each day, that is a Triumphal Entry to be celebrated every day of our lives.
And the best way to celebrate His grace and spiritual empowerment every day is to lose our lives in Him and into one another in our service to God.

Until next time, win one for the good guys.