| “No one gives grace better than the person who is deeply persuaded that he needs it himself. Self-righteous people tend to be critical, dismissive, and impatient with others.” —Paul Tripp |
You can probably picture someone who you think is beyond deserving the grace of God. Maybe it’s the kind of people who have done certain heinous things. Maybe it’s the kind of people who haven’t done what you think is most necessary. Or perhaps it’s the kind of people that vote quite differently than you, think differently than you, act differently than you, dress differently than you, or any other combination of social and/or cultural factors. But the radical grace of God says that whosoever believes in Jesus is in, regardless if they fit our paradigm or not. You and I would not be the first people for whom this reality might be someone difficult to comprehend in reality. Sure, in theory we can fairly easily confess that God is gracious, merciful, and abounding in steadfast love. But when the rubber meets the road it can be difficult. Picture for a moment the Old Testament people of God: Israel. They had been delivered from centuries long slavery in Egypt, and then promised by God that he would give them a land flowing with milk and honey. A land that they would not have to cultivate because other people will have already done it. Those other people, pagan nations, would be driven out by God through the efforts of the Israelites, and God would establish his people, in his place, under his rule. When the reach the edge of the land, two spies went in to scout out the territory — giving particular attention to the city Jericho. When the king of Jericho heard that there were spies, the Israelite spies found refuge in the home of a local prostitute named Rahab. As she hid them, she confessed this: “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction.And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.” (Jos 2:9–11). This pagan prostitute — who was ethnically, spiritually, morally, outside of the people of God — confessed that Yahweh is Lord over all and protected his people against her king. And for this, Rahab is placed in what is called the “hall of faith” in Hebrews 11 in which the write says “By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.” Rahab placed her faithful fearfully in the God who can destroy kingdoms and displace people, and because she showed this kindness to God’s people she was spared. This is a women who would have been so far outside the grace of God it would boggle the mind of Israelites, yet here she is in our Bibles as an example of faithfulness. This should be shocking to us. God’s grace only extends to those who do not deserve it. Even those who we think are so far outside or beyond his mercy can receive grace if they look to him in faith. We, even us ourselves, were at one time far off and alienated from God. But because of the blood of Christ even we have been reconciled and brought near. What good news. See y’all on Sunday! in Christ, John D |
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| —A Gentle Encouragement to Move Toward Each Other In light of the sermon and scripture from last week, I just want to gently remind and encourage y’all as a church to continually move toward one another in relationship. What I mean by that is this: we have been steadily growing as a church, which means there are new people around that you probably don’t know as well. I would encourage you to invite people who you do not know very well into your home or out to dinner or to some other social event to get to know them. God in Christ has moved toward us in love and grace, let’s continue moving toward one another as well! —Evening of Hope Reminder Many people at Mercy volunteer with and support the Compass Women’s Center, a local crisis pregnancy center. If you would like to support this work or learn more about it please register for their Evening of Hope taking place April 6, 2025 @ 5:30PM — 7:30PM at the Erickson Alumni Center in Morgantown. —Songs for Sunday Here’s what we’re singing this Sunday if you’d like to familiarize yourself with tunes + lyrics! All Creatures Of Our God And King Rise My Soul, The Lord Is Risen Psalm 20 (to the tune of How Firm A Foundation) Abide With Me In Christ Alone |
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