THE GRACE of CHRIST

Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 1:31

Thousands of people are livid and incensed they’ve lost jobs for stuff they said or posted online about a guy who was assassinated and martyred for the very same.

Crazy, right?

But make no mistake, I’m not jumping on the hater bandwagon of conservative values and moral superiority. Charlie wasn’t primarily an advocate of capitalism or political conservatism. He certainly never boasted about moral superiority. Charlie Kirk was primarily an ambassador of the GOSPEL, Jesus Christ, because there is no other name under heaven by which people can be saved (Acts 4:12).

Only the GOSPEL can change a leper’s spots, cause the blind to see, and bring about TRUE and lasting reform through our regeneration (new life) by the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus.

We can give ourselves over to the carnality of emotions, which exposes the sin in our hearts… or, what the enemy intended for evil, we can allow the LORD to use it - and us - redeeming it ALL for our good and His glory!

In 1 John 3:15-16 we read, “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer. By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives…”

King Jesus preached, “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.”

It’s only human to be angry about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, but that’s the underlying problem… it’s only human… it’s of the flesh, and the saints, citizens of heaven, are called to the PERFECT standard of the WORD incarnate, Christ Jesus. King Jesus said, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

That's why the Jewish zealot and murderer, Saul, who became the Apostle Paul, reminded the saints in Ephesus, “We too all previously lived among them (lost, carnal, depraved sinners) in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!”

The elect, redeemed saints in Christ, are called and commissioned to be the embodiment of His agape-love and GRACE. Anything less is an abomination to God. It’s a self-righteousness that’s nothing more than “filthy rags” (Isa 64:6).

People everywhere are firing off, “Charlie would have wanted…” We should avoid filling in the void with what WE think Charlie would have wanted. Charlie was 100% clear; he wanted what Christ Jesus wanted, i.e., Sinners to be redeemed by the GOOD NEWS; that Jesus Christ is the ETERNAL KING of kings and LORD of lords, and He’s coming back, not to bear sin, but for those eagerly awaiting Him.

Those people who celebrated, danced, ranted, and lost jobs… we should remember that it’s not our moral character, self-control, religious beliefs, or political affiliations that make us “better”… It’s either the power and presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling within -or- we are deceived by the lie of self-righteousness.

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Should people suffer the consequences of their actions? 100%. Should people be shown the grace of Christ? No. That includes me and you too... and that’s precisely what makes God's grace so amazing. That’s what makes it the GOOD NEWS!

In Matthew 18:23-35, we hear King Jesus’ words, “…the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlements, a debtor owing ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned.

Then the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Have patience with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’

His master had compassion on him, forgave his debt, and released him.

But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe me!’

So his fellow servant fell down and begged him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you back.’

But he refused. Instead, he went and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay his debt.

When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and recounted all of this to their master.

Then the master summoned him and said, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave all your debt because you begged me. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should repay all that he owed.

That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Are we merely allowing what God intends for good to be perverted into something as banal as a platoform for conservative values... or are we redeeming it through the ministry of the Holy Spirit? Are we parading around our moral superiority and boasting in it... or are we boasting in Christ and His Gospel of Grace?

How will you respond to the truth of God’s WORD?

Click on the link for a short video version of today's post:

https://youtube.com/shorts/T-6psRzYeGU?feature=shared

Blessings & love,

Kevin M. Kelley