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| Wikipedia: Nail House |
"The Cross is mostly God's defiance of himself. God erects a nail house against his own wrath. What the Cross defies, what the Cross defeats, what the Cross pushes back, is as much the wrath of heaven as it is the power of hell. God disarms himself at Calvary. To put it another way: At the Cross, God made a way for his mercy and love to triumph over his justice and judgment.
The old theologians put it this way: We take refuge from God in God. The only escape from God's wrath is God's mercy. If you cling to his nail house, all God's wrath falls on the one nailed there.
And what rains down on your head? Grace upon grace upon grace."[1]
I also consider the different connotations of the word "grace:"
- unmerited favor that costs me nothing, usually bestowed by God;
- as a verb, honoring or crediting another by bestowing presence;
- movement that is simple yet refined, sophisticated in its supple and agile beauty; and
- from the Greek... a favorable inclination or a leaning towards with the intent of sharing benefit.
Then there is the fact that at the same time, I've been meditating on Jesus' instruction to judge correctly, instead of basing our judgments on mere appearances (John 7).
Why do I crave grace for myself yet find it so reluctant to offer or share it to/with others?
No real conclusions... This is really nothing more than a collection of thoughts that I'm striving to somehow synthesize in my head and heart. But isn't that just the thing with grace? God sent His Son, an impossibly supple movement somehow synthesizing God's head (holiness,justice and wrath) and His heart (forgiveness, love and mercy) which grants me access to His presence.
Then?
I'm the one so undeserving who wins big because He is and He did (grace).
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Head on over to Lisa Jo's if you wanna join in the and try your had at a five minute write, too!
wow! I'm in tears as I read this... I loved the essay you put in & your thoughts about it... so true... & similar to what I wrote about why are we crave & desire God's Grace but are so reluctant to share this same grace! This statement:
ReplyDelete"God sent His Son, an impossibly supple movement somehow synthesizing God's head (holiness,justice and wrath) and His heart (forgiveness, love and mercy) which grants me access to His presence." I'll think about for a while now.... WOW! THANK YOU :)
thank you... such kind words and grace offered to me tonight. much appreciated.
DeleteI too, crave grace but do not give it nearly enough. I followed your "judge correctly" link and instapapered it to read tomorrow. It looks like it will be very helpful for me during a trial with extended family.
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing!
i think we'd all have to say the same. i just think of all the times i could show grace to my children or husband... and choose to be selfish with grace instead.
Deletepraying that link will be used of God as you reflect towards a difficult situation.
blessings.
Why do I crave grace for myself yet find it so reluctant to offer or share it to/with others?
ReplyDeleteOhhhh, this is so true! How I am yearning for grace right now - and yes, even to give it, and praying it will be accepted. Thank you for sharing.
praying that the grace we offer will be accepted... sometimes it is hard to accept that gift, isn't it?
Deletethanks for visiting... thanks for commenting!
This is sheer beauty and powerful truth!
ReplyDeletethank you, karrilee. :-)
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