Isaiah 55
Thoughts on Grace
It is again a Sunday afternoon. Again Pastor Dan's sermon caught my attention: Grace in the Old Testament! I have always known and accepted the fact of Grace to our Patriarchs of old. From Abraham to Moses. Grace in a Spiritual concept is the divine influence upon one's heart and it's reflection in one's life. Abraham's life was one of obedience without question and it was counted as righteousness to him. Noah built an ark without doubting God and found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Moses, argued, yet obeyed and was worthy to be given the Law. David, though he sinned, was considered a man after God's heart.
The Israelite people lived under the Law for generations. The Old Testament is filled with the teaching of a coming Messiah. It was through this Messiah that the Law would be fulfilled and the age of Grace would begin. And so it was: Jesus; born in Bethlehem, raised in Nazareth, taught a radical way of life through love, accused of blasphemy, hung on a cross until dead, buried in a tomb for 3 days, rose and ascended to the right hand of God, His Father. Jesus, the ONLY begotten Son of God! Yet the religious leaders of that day did not recognize Him or accept Him as the answer to the Prophecies. So it was through Jesus' willingness to become the final blood sacrifice for God's chosen people that grace was imparted to all.
Paul, in Ephesians 1, begins by sharing his thoughts about Grace to the saints and faithful ones in Ephesus.... today that is the Church, the body of Christ! (v6) “To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (KJV) “To the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the one He loves.” (NIV) Here again I emphasis the meaning of Grace...is the divine influence upon one's heart and it's reflection in one's life.
To help us clarify and understand Isaiah 55 Pastor Dan used two points: 1) God's perspective and 2) Man's perspective. (vv1-3) are the eternal view of Grace or God's perspective. This passage begins with an invitation... 'Come'. It continues with a plea: Listen! Give ear... come... that your soul may have life. It ends with God's promise of an everlasting covenant. This covenant was the promise given to David that he would have an unending dynasty (a succession of rulers of the same family), one that would culminate (rise to the highest point) in the Messiah. God fulfills His promise through the tribe of Judah and Mary, the virgin Mother of Jesus. (vv6-7) are the earthly view or man's perspective. This passage begins with the urging to seek and call...”while He may be found”... could this mean that God has put a limitation on mans seeking and calling? It continues to urge the unrighteous and the wicked, encouraging them to turn to the Lord. Why? He will have mercy and freely pardon! 1 John 1:9... “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” It is through the sincere confession and acceptance of forgiveness that one receives a change of perspective... from man's to God's!
This brings us to the wording in Isaiah 55:1... “Come and buy.... without money”. To buy something one needs currency. “What currency do you have jingling in your pocket?” Pastor Dan asked. I would like to answer that question by thinking of the currency of Heaven. There is only one and it was made possible by the reconciliation of God and humankind, especially as accomplished through the life, suffering, and death of Christ, the final sacrifice. So perhaps you may have some currency jingling in your pocket: good works, church attendance, money, success, church membership, or baptism. The list could go on and on, yet none of them bring about a change of perspective... ONLY through Jesus' blood can one's perspective be changed. Only through the infilling of the Holy Spirit can one become one with Jesus even as He was one with His Father...John 17:11.
Arlene Bean: ambean41@hotmail.com
I am a child of God! He has filled my life with memories of love and care by a loving Grandmother and Mother. Makes me think of 2 Timothy 1:5, Paul writing to Timothy: "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in you, which dwelt first in they grandmother, (Mary) Lois and your mother (Kathryn) Eunice; and I am persuaded that in you also."
Now that my Senior years are here I can look back and find that God has always taken care of me whatever human circumstances have come my way. Some by my own choices and some by the choices of others.
My prayer: As family and friends follow 'GMom's Ramblings' that they will find a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.