Nougat 5

I’m not sure about yours, but my childhood was blissful. I wasn’t quite a spoiled brat, but I got away punishment- free from a few exploits. Perhaps they (the adults) were tired of trying to keep me in line, maybe I was the only person expecting to be punished for what I’d done, or probably God had marked me as special even then. Life under Grace, for whatever reason, is and was blissful. For Grace most often speaks to being exempt from the true consequences of our actions, especially sin. And that’s the essence of today’s Holy Nougat

“The grace of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah and the love of God and the fellowship of the Ruach ha-Kodesh be with you all. Amen.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭13:13‬ ‭TLV‬‬

Based on the background information we explored yesterday, we may recall that the Corinthian church had earned its place in Paul’s Naughty Corner. To the extent that Paul changed gears in the letter to correct them and promised to deal with their wrongs in person.

Then he offered them Christ’s Grace.

The most expensive and all-encompassing Grace of all. For the Grace that we receive from Jesus spares EACH of us the penalty of eternal consequences that our sins deserve. Pat Boone, singer and songwriter, describes it best – ‘Though it makes Him sad to see the way we live// He’ll always say, “I forgive “.

That’s what He did right there on the Cross in response to all that was done to Him. Jesus shouted up to God, Don’t hold their actions against them because they are clueless! (ie forgive their wrongs because they don’t know what they are doing ). And God heard and honored that request EVEN when it came from the Cross!

The blessing extended to the Corinthians by Paul is an acknowledgement of their flawed behavior; while recognizing that Jesus CAN CHOOSE to overlook it. And it is the same type of Grace extended to you, me … everybody – should we choose to believe and receive it. We each have to choose this gift of Christ’s forgiveness.

My understanding though, is that it has an extended Warranty. For as long as our lives last . If we choose to ignore the Grace extended to us while we are alive, the opportunity doesn’t extend to the grave. So, let’s receive Christ‘s Grace like a 4th of July sale on the most vital thing we’ve wanted to buy. While the clock of Life still ticks, we receive this Grace that saves us through our Faith in Christ Jesus.

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May all we seek be found in Christ