Monday, May 20, 2013

Verse of the Day 5/20

 
 
Isaiah 43:25  "I, I am he
    who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
    and I will not remember your sins.   English Standard Version (ESV)
 
Our Pastor Bob started a new series this weekend with the title "Graceonomics" which will delve, deeply I'm sure, into the subject of God's grace.
 
Today's verse is an Old Testament vision of that grace, showing God's willingness to blot out the record of Israel's and our sins and exchange it for His favor His grace, a right relationship with Him.
 
I read the following quote yesterday about the subject of God's grace.   "[Grace is] my favorite word in the lexicon of the English language.  It's a word I'm depending on.  The universe operates by Karma, we all know that.  For every action there's an equal and opposite reaction.  There is some atonement built in: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.  Then enters Grace and turns that upside down.  I love it.  I'm not talking about people being graceful in their actions but just covering over the cracks.  Christ's ministry really was a lot to do with pointing out how everybody is a screw-up in some shape or form, there's no way around it.  But then He was to say, well, I am going to deal with those sins for you.  I will take on Myself all the consequences of sin.  Even if you're not religious, I think you'd accept that there are consequences to all the mistakes we make.  And so Grace enters the picture to say, I'll take the blame, I'll carry the cross.  It is a powerful idea.  Grace interrupting Karma."  Bono, in U2 by U2 (London, 2006), page 300
 
The world has its own idea of how the world works, the "exchange" described as Karma.  Aren't you glad that God has a better idea?   It is called grace and it came in the person of Jesus Christ.
 
John 1:14,16-17  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth... 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.[a] 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.English Standard Version (ESV)
 
In Christ,
Mike
 
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Isaiah 43:24-26

English Standard Version (ESV)

24 You have not bought me sweet cane with money,
    or satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices.
But you have burdened me with your sins;
    you have wearied me with your iniquities.

25 "I, I am he
    who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
    and I will not remember your sins.
26 Put me in remembrance; let us argue together;
    set forth your case, that you may be proved right.

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