2:46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

They killed Him yet before they ever had the chance to be sorry or even knew what they had done He had already forgiven them. It was a love that was foreign to them. They were raised to perform or be punished. They were raised to earn love and favour.
This morning Nathaniel and I were reading in Genesis when Jacob was returning to meet his brother Esau after decades apart. Jacob was afraid to return. His guilt from the past was literally oppressing him. To try and appease his brother and buy his favour Jacob sent gifts of flocks and herds ahead of himself. When Esau finally got through all of them and saw Jacob he fell on his neck and wept for joy. Esau wasn't angry at all. Jacob's sins were long forgiven.
You see favour can't be purchased. Love is a gift, not a commodity. When those early Christians came to realize they had God's favour and that relating to Him was not a business transaction they were flooded with joy and peace. A joy they celebrated daily. Sadly we have lost much of that joy it seems. Perhaps we slipped back into a business model picture of God where favour is purchased. If that is the case for you I encourage you to visit the cross again. His love is full and free.
No comments:
Post a comment