Harmony of Grace

Psalm 19:7-13 Imagine rejoicing in a list of rules? Imagine if you had arrived at school and declared: "The rules of this school are more precious than gold; it is a joy and a pleasure to obey them all." I don't think you would have made many friends that way! I do not know of many children who like following rules. But as we grow older, we begin to understand that certain rules are there for a reason - they are there for our own benefit.  As we have reflected on the ten commandments over the past few days, we have been reminded that God's laws were implemented for the good of God's people. We have also learnt that obedience to these commandments will naturally flow out of a life lived in love for God and our neighbour.  When we understand this, it makes it a bit easier to comprehend why God's people would rejoice in God's laws.  As Christians, we are now living under a new law - that of the grace of Jesus Christ. This new covenant has been written on our ...

1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Have you ever found yourself reading a story about Jesus and being confused or unsure about something that Jesus said? Perhaps you wonder, "why would Jesus ask someone to give away everything they own?" or "how on earth am I supposed to love my worst enemies, even the people who have hurt me the most?" or "why does Jesus not stand up and fight for himself, even when he is sentenced to death?" I think that these feelings of shock that we have when we read Jesus' story is what Paul talks about in Corinthians when he says that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who do not understand. What I have found is that once my initial shock wears off and I am willing to put into practice what Jesus has said and lived, it is then that I discover the wisdom in Jesus' words, even though I did not understand it at first.  When I begin giving away my possessions, I discover that I am blessed by helping those in need and I rely les...