GOD’S GRACE

“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 5:20, 21 KJV

Julia H. Johnston wrote one of my favorite hymns “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”.  I love these words.  “Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured, There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.”

When I read or heard about something terrible that someone had done, I used to think that the person was terrible and deserved to be punished.  One day God spoke to my heart and reminded me that I deserved to go to hell because of my sins but because His Son died on the cross for my sins, I was forgiven.

Yes, people must be punished when they do something wrong but we also need to pray for that person so the person will know that God still loves and forgives when we sin.  One of my pastors said in a sermon “If you will make sure your own heart is right before God, you won’t have time to judge others."

May God have mercy on us and forgive us for judging others.  It is time we start praying instead of judging.  We need to love one another unconditionally just as Jesus loves us.  Remember, Jesus died for everybody in the world.  He loves all of us equally and it hurts Him when we don’t love one another.

Joanne Lowe

October 28, 2018