One morning as a young child, I was to learn a valuable lesson about grace. Except I had no idea it was called grace, back in the day....I loved the little lambs frolicking around the farm where we my parents rented a little house. The farmer's daughter's had lambs for Lamb and Calf day and I probably thought I would like that too.This particular morning, I chose a little lamb that I would play with after school. Knowing nothing of the dangers of a thin rope called twine, I tied the lamb to the fence on one end and his neck on the other...
Off to school I went, without a care. My parents told me later in that the lamb indeed had died...he must have chocked and hanged himself on the fence trying to get free. The farmer asked my parents to pay the price for a fully grown sheep. Over 50 years later, I still feel sad that I did that but it was accidental. A child has very little foresight.
As a child; sometimes as adults; we do and say things that we later regret and there is nothing- absolutely nothing- we can do to change the situation. The only thing we can do is throw ourselves at the mercy of God and His grace.
So what actually is this 'grace'?? I have experianced grace as God's unmerited favour. No- it is not overlooking our sin but a way of restoring us after we have acknowledged our mistakes. Restoring us so that we can start again.
Grace is also given to us to strengthen us in our weakness for Jesus tells us My grace is sufficient for you.
There are countless stories in the Bible of Jesus extending grace-not wrath- to men and women who have done things that there was no going back from. In fact, if there was no grace extended, the person may have decided they didn't want to live. Such is the power of grace.
How about you? Have you extended grace to someone who has hurt you?
In John 8 verses 2- 11 is the account of a woman being brought to Jesus as she had been caught in the act of adultery. The teachers of the law who had brought her to Jesus, stood ready to stone her- such was the law at that time. On this occasion- instead of answering their questions, Jesus wrote something on the ground with his finger. Then he asked that those who were without sin to cast the first stone. After this,He wrote something else on the ground. As he did this the men left -one at a time.....until there was only the woman and Jesus.
v 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? "
11. "No one, Sir," she said. Then neither do I condemn you." Jesus declared. "go and leave your life of sin."
This is an example of grace. Restorative grace. The law said she must be stoned. John 1 v 14b Jesus came- full of grace and truth.
I wish I could tell you that I didn't do anything stupid after that episode with the lamb but alas I have blown it several times in my life. Mistakes as a daughter, a wife, a mother,a nurse, a friend... and you too will have your own stories where unless you sought the goodness,forgiveness and the grace of God and accepted it; you would have found it hard to live another day.
What I am so grateful for is that Jesus went ahead of us. He went ahead to the Cross; He went ahead to pay a debt that we could never pay; He went ahead and prepared grace and and mercy for us because He knew in advance that without His grace we might be tempted to give up- such is our disdain, shame and disgust in ourselves at the thought of some of things we have done. He went ahead and planned for us to understand and experiance grace at salvation and He continues to offer grace to those still considering their options. How are you at receiving this grace?
A certain father had two very different sons. They all lived on a farm where we are to conclude that the two sons worked. If you know the story of the Prodigal son, you will know that one day, one of the sons decided he was done with working for his father. He asked- in advance- for his share of his fathers estate. Normally, this share is not given until the death of the parent.
I wonder what was going on in the heart of the son at that time and in the father's heart? The father loved his son very much. He had provided his sons with everything they needed; yet this son seemed to think there was more to be found in Tinseltown.
"I cant wait to get to the Big Smoke" he thought. "I'm out of here".... Out from the Old mans rules...out from getting up early and busting my guts working on the farm.
I'm going to party hard...with my mates...every single day and night!! Woohooo!! Total freedom is where its at!!
V 14: After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country and he began to be in need. V15. so he went off and hired himself out to a citizen of that country who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. Vs 16. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating but no one gave him anything.
Wasteful living! We have all done it- in our own fashion and in some measure. Some of us start waking up to ourselves when we reach a scenario that is as attractive as a pigpen.
The mood changes. Gone is his money... The pumping music, his drunk mates, ladies of the night- they have all lost their appeal and have split the scene. Funny that! While he had money, he had lots of.... 'mates'.
The face of his father comes to his mind.
V17: When he came to his senses...
The son starts rehearsing a speech to his father. He remembers his fathers wise counsel: "Tell the truth and shame the devil."
V18: I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and and against you. v 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men v 20 So he got up and went to his father..
Shame has a way of pounding in our ears and telling us lies. Shame can also motivate us to make new choices if we turn our back on it and tell the truth to ourselves and then to a loving father.
Every man and every woman gets the opportunity to rehearse their own speech. As we go to our earthly and our heavenly Father and speak from the heart, we are released from the shame and become unashamed! If we hold onto our pride and collude with shame, we risk being unforgiven and bound.
What about you ? Have you ever been in a position where you either held onto your pride or you starting rehearsing a speech?
This story is a picture of the love of a heavenly father who loves all of us but puts no pressure on us to come to him.
So where are you in the story of the prodigal son? Do you identify with either son? Do you get a sense that this was really about a fathers love for his children?
In reading the parable many times, I had no sense of pressure or coercion to come to the father for relationship. However that is what our Heavenly Father is actually more interested in. Yes- its one thing to go to our parents and ask for a loan but a parent longs for relationship. At the end of the day, the prodigal son sees it was all a waste of time to indulge in temporary thrills. He wanted his relationship with his father restored.
It all comes down to identity. The prodigal son now had a revelation that he was already a son in his fathers house and had been, all along. The father loved him enough to let him go and try out the temporary things of this world that he believed would bring him life.
The father wasted no time after hearing his sons confession. He asked his servants to quickly bring the best robe and then a ring, then sandals on his feet. He had to celebrate the return of his son. His son now had a revelation that he was and still is a loving Father. Our Heavenly Father also puts on a party when we acknowledge His great love for us and with our free will, recite our prepared speech
The son was beginning to see he had a whole inheritance to step into that was heavenly, invisible and eternal. Is this something you have ever given thought to? His earthly father appeared to be quite rich but a heavenly Father has far more for us in terms of inheritance.We dont know how long it took the son to get to a heart shift from "Give me" to "Father I have sinned against heaven and against you".
The father was so patient and kind towards his sons- both of them- and yet the elder brother changed his tune and resented the attention shown to his brother by his father upon his return. God equally loves the son who remained at home who spurns the love and the inheritance that his father has for him. For those who spurn His love, they still have the opportunity to accept what the father has for them.
It seemed to be unjust to the faithful son who had stayed at home. We do not know how long his brother had been away. Is it possible that this faithful brother was harbouring anger at his brother and at his father because maybe in his mind, this killing the fatted calf was just too unjust??? Or was this about the fact that this son had actually chosen to harden his heart at the perceived injustice of a feast!
Maybe this was the older son getting a revelation of the grace and forgiveness of God.
The last word comes from the father Vs 31. " 'My son,' the father said, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.vs 32. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead(spiritually) and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "
In conclusion, in the parables of the lost coin and the lost sheep, someone went looking for them. These reflect material possessions however how much more valuable is a soul who is found!!!!!! This time, the Father waited for the son to come to himself. That is where God comes in. He waits. And Waits. And waits. He waits for US to make the first move back to Him. He; in His great love for us MUST let us decide if we want to be found. His heart more than desperately wants us to come to Him but He also gave us a freewill. This means we are FREE to do as we WILL.... and that can be for good or bad. We get to choose what we WILL.
What a risk God takes!! All LOVING!!! He allows us the respect, dignity and the honour to CHOOSE for ourselves the bend of our will. God is a perfect gentleman and he will let us do what we want.
In this example, the younger son -of his own freewill- chose to return to the silent but steady love and waiting Father. It would not be love freely reciprocated, if He demanded the affections of our heart.
About Lorraine Goulton
Hi, Im Lorraine Goulton from Masterton North Island New Zealand. I love writing and passionately working on my first work about our Identity in Christ. I know what it is to stuff things up and rehearse speeches. I enjoy shaming the devil!
Married to Colin, we have 7 daughters between us and have 13 granddchildren. Currently working as a Registered Nurse with Wairarapa DHB. Also a volunteer Support Coordinator for Crisis Pregnancy Support-Wairarapa.
https://www.crisispregnancysupport.org.nz/
As a wife and a 32 year old Mum of 4 little daughters, I found myself searching for "I- don't- really- know- who". I had made- what I call- a step towards God at the age of 15 but thought I knew better. Like a prodigal daughter, I went off and did my own thing for several years.
While I was busy avoiding God, He had a plan to love me back to Himself. In fact, He had had that idea for many years.
In the intervening years between 15 and 32, I made a spectacular mess of my life. At 32, another opportunity to allow myself to receive the ( reckless) love that God offers to all of us, arose. The truth is, He sends us invitations every day. Trouble is; a lot of people think that aren't worthy to open the invite.
When you looked at the facts, I was a risk to love. I had turned my back on Him for many years; I was doing things that His Word said I should not do and living life the way I wanted to.
In choosing to love me, God would be risking the fact that I may never reciprocate His love.
I had to get forgiveness first as it was guilt, shame and brokeness that led me to His door. I theorised in my mind that if I was forgiven, that I could possibly be loved. However, that is not how it works in the Kingdom of God.
He loves us first!!!
It took me a long time to get my head and my heart around this concept. Except its NOT a concept!! Its a fact!
Ephesians 2 verse 4 But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, Verse 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.
John 3 verse 16: For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
God does not expect us to get cleaned up first- before He will love us and accept us. NO!! He sent His son Jesus to the cross so that our sins and transgressions would be covered by His Blood as God desperately wants fellowship with us. Why?? Because He is our Creator. However, He did give us all a free will and its in the area of our will where we decide if we will accept what Jesus did for us and reciprocate His love. Either way, God will love us with that Reckless love.
Who else CAN love us with a reckless love? Who else knows all about us and loves us anyway forever??? Who else can forgive our sins and be mercifully good to us. We don't get what we do deserve!!
This is my story and the story of millions of people who worked it out that we are loved with an ever lasting love that is absolutely reckless in its nature. He came after me; the lost sheep and He can come after you too.Psalm 13 verse 5: But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord for he has been good to me.
Recently I fell in love with the words of the song the Reckless love of God - I pray you take a few minutes to watch
this song and let the words minister to you.
Lorraine Goulton is unashamedly and recklessly loved by God. She lives in Masterton, New Zealand.
Many years ago, I lost a very close friendship due to a misunderstanding that occurred between us. Although I tried, I was not able to build a bridge to her ever again. I was stunned at her response but I know its not about her response. Its about mine. I just felt sad. Sad that she was choosing that response. Sad she allowed this misunderstanding to break up a lovely friendship. I wonder if she ever forgave me or whether it still stings when she thinks of me?
To be completely honest, I too have drunk at the fount of bitterness from time to time, drinking brine; bringing up in my mind all those things I hold against people. Sometimes I'm only at the fount for a short time, but I'm ashamed to admit that sometimes I'm a bit like Herodias. I am guilty of nursing that "thing." What about you? How long was your longest stay? Looking back, was it worth it?
Herodias had an axe to grind in Mark 6 verse 19. Actually, it was more of an Executioners Sword. She didn't take kindly to what John the Baptist had to say about her being Herods's wife and she wanted to kill him. Such was her desire to kill him that Herod her husband had John the Baptist arrested, bound and imprisoned. I have a feeling she may have been drinking the brine of bitterness...
Mark 6 v 19 writes she nursed a grudge.
Nursing a baby
Having been a nursing mother; way back when my four daughters were babies, nursing (breastfeeding) was a full time job. I demand fed and sometimes it seemed the baby of the day was permanently latched at a nipple. Some days it seemed I couldn't do anything else because baby needed to be fed ALL the time. The beauty was you knew it was a good thing to do for you and baby. I cant say the same for grudges.
The perils of nursing a grudge
Carrying that grudge all day and all night long. Feeding it. Stroking it. Stoking up the fire of that grudge. Defending that grudge. Adding in the ninety parts unforgiveness and hatred. How exhausting! But this is what Herodias did ... And we do it too! Don't we? Go on. Be honest! We take the bait and we nibble on it and the offense grow and grows.
Offense - The Bait of Satan
John Bevere wrote a book called The Bait of Satan which talks about the power of an offense to be the veritable bait of satan. Here we see Herodias captivated by the ever seductive self righteous elixer of bitterness. Addictive at best and self protective at worst.
The tempting allure from the couldron of contempt, misunderstanding and offense provide the perfect conditions for the idol of Herodias's self to be placated. The brine would do its deadly work.. if she waited long enough. She nursed that grudge for- who knows how long -but the moment came when she had drained the dregs of the last drop of this imaginary and invisible brine. Except that drinking the brine of bitterness will be deadly.. for someone.
Unforgiveness is deadly
Verse 21 The opportune time came. A banquet was held for King Herod's Birthday. Herodias's daughter performed a pleasing dance to King Herod and his dinner guests. King Herod who was protecting John and looking after him in the prison was so enthralled with her dance that he offered her anything at all up to half of his estate. The daughter went straight to her Mother to ask her what she should ask for.
The fact that Herodias told her daughter INSTANTLY what to ask for, may indicate that this grudge nursing thing was about to pay off ! To save face, King Herod was under oath to deliver!
Who is watching you?
Hebrews 12 v15 reads: See to it that no one MISSES the grace of God and that no BITTER ROOT grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
We could speculate Herodias's choice to model hatred of John the Baptist to her daughter likely had far reaching consequences to her daughter and her daughter's lineage. This dancing daughter valued her Mothers opinion and when it counted most, her Mother taught her how to treat people who upset you. Off with their heads!
What about us?
Titus 3 vs 3 At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy,being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness of and love of God appeared, v5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we have done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour v7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we night become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
For reflection
This verse speaks the truth of our human condition BUT it also speaks more about the love of God and what the death of Jesus purchased for us and achieves for us- in an ongoing way. It speaks to all of us that have been brine drinkers and the occasional imbibers.
Jesus is after our hearts. He wants us to take steps towards Him when we believe we have missed the mark. The good news is that He accepts us even in our spiritual immaturity. What can you do to ensure you do some regular spiritual weeding and pull out any bitter roots? Can you believe that you are called Beloved - even at your worst? Can you appreciate that we are required to forgive ourselves? This can be very difficult to do but vital for us to do in order to move on to be the Heirs that we literally are.
Isaiah 1vs 18. "Come now, let us settle the matter," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be as wool.
The Cup of Wrath
Jesus prayed TWICE in Gethsemene- the night before he was crucified Matthew 26 v 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will,but as you will." And again in vs 42. He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
I have heard this "cup" likened to a cup full of the rubbish of every mans sin from the beginning of time; pulverised with the dirt and filth of every vile, wicked and sinful thought, word and deed of mankind. My understanding is that the cup of which Jesus speaks here is about the act of crucifixion-taking on the sin of the world.
I am more than grateful that I came to the fount of Jesus and asked for His cleansing- in exchange for the brine of bitterness. For now, Im fresh out of brine and if I find some I think I will pour it down the toilet. I suggest you do the same. It's deadly stuff.
We can now drink from the Cup of the New Covenant
Matthew 26 v 27: Then he took the cup gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.v 28: This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins
About Lorraine Goulton
Lorraine Goulton is a budding writer from Masterton, North Island New Zealand. Happily married to husband Colin, she works four days a week as a Registered Nurse. Between them, they have seven daughters and thirteen grandchildren. Lorraine loves baking treats for grandchildren and working on a book about Our Identity in Christ. For the most part, Lorraine is ignoring the fact that her 60th birthday has been and gone and is adopting the motto "If you don't write now, when are you going to!" You will find her on Facebook (scrolling) but when she gets her act together, she will get her website up and running.
"Have you heard about this man called Jesus? He’s coming now!! He heals people of their diseases!! He is coming up from the beach!!" "Thank you for telling me, my friend"- she replied excitedly- racing out the door; gathering her skirt above her ankles. I am going to touch Him-she said to herself. She pulled back the brocade curtain covering the doorway to join the crowd. My money is all gone. I have nothing to lose! Oh!! how wonderful to leave my prison of 12 years. There He is!!! There He is!! I am going to press in to touch the hem of his garment.
Audacious Confidence
Bold faith clings to a Person- refusing to take no for an answer while putting a demand on God.The woman in Mark 5 verse 24 to 34 had suffered much with a haemorrhage for 12 years and was no better. She had spent all she had. Now she was willing to go to the only One who carried her life in His hands. She had such audacious confidence in Jesus that she was willing to be buffeted by the crowd.
She reached out and touched the hem of His garment. There had to have been something very special about her faith that caused the virtue to flow out of the Son of Man that brought about her healing.
Unrivalled faith
How do we develop such a Faith? Is it a faith that proclaims I’m going after this and it is the only thing I’m going to do? It is faith that is unrivalled in its pursuit and passion. He wants you to flex the muscles of your faith and implore Him. Jesus knows the ripple effect her faith will make.
Jesus is looking for bold faith
God is after your confidence in Him… but so is the enemy. Somehow the enemy knows that if he has your confidence, the rest is easy. If you choose to have an unshakeable confidence in Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit, nothing is going to stand in your way. Verse 28 Amplified: She KEPT saying If I only touch his garments, I shall be restored to health. Verse 28 NIV: because she thought “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed” What are the things YOU keep saying? What are the things YOU think about in regard to your haemorrhage?.... that area of your life that has not shifted in 12 years; that painful event that has caused you to ‘bleed out’ all of your confidence?
Confidence equals faith
This unnamed woman was after a transfusion of healing and it came in the form of a Person- the Person who knew that her healing was never going to come from a pill, a potion or a poison but a Portion of the Healing Presence of Jesus. She positioned herself to be in the Presence of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. When He saw her faith and her determined confidence; that He is who He says He is and He does what He says He will do; virtue flowed from Him.
Jesus knew that someone had touched His garment. He stopped and took the time to look for that some one. He will stop for you too. There is mighty power in having a faith and a confidence that touches Him. There was a great crowd around Him but there was only one that touched Him in such a way that moved Him. The same applies today. Many are following Jesus but are you touching Him with a boldness and a confidence that demonstrates your unshakeable faith?
Jesus sought her out; her faith undaunted by the crowd pressing in on Jesus. He made eye contact with her. Her faith in Jesus activated her intrinsic identity when Jesus acknowledged her. He confirmed her true identity when He called her Daughter; no longer unnamed. She had been unclean and imprisoned by her bleeding. No wonder she could leave Jesus presence in peace; freed from her suffering and commended by Jesus for her faith. Her faith was like a passport-giving her authority to go to a new destination in Christ. I wonder if your "faith passport" need updating?
About Lorraine Goulton
Lorraine is a novice writer living in Masterton, North Island, New Zealand. Frequently seen in the company of one of her 13 grandchildren. Lorraine is working on a book about Our Identity in Christ as she has a desire to see Christians walk in the fullness of their identity in Christ. She loves writing and making up silly stories and songs for her Grandchildren. This is her very first public post !!
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