Been thinking...

How effortlessly we point our fingers at those who nailed Jesus to the cross! The Romans who had to do what was politically correct then, and the Jews who had no room for the message of grace.

But what if Jesus comes now? Will our generation nail him to the cross just as they did? How will we respond to Him?

I can imagine those of us who will oppose His politically incorrect ways. I can imagine the skeptics in our midst who will sneer and jeer at the incomprehensible concept of grace. We have already crucified Him in our own ways. Like Bethlehem, we are too occupied to make room for the King.

What happens if Jesus comes today? I don't know. I don't wanna know. I am glad He came when he did, because it's always easier to look from the outside.

The Power of Love

As I read Luke 19 again, the scene of Zacchaeus climbing up onto the sycamore tree unfolded itself before me once more.

Jesus was in town, and everyone would give anything to steal a glance at this controversial prophet. Buried in the sea of faces was that of Zacchaeus's. A small man in physique and a small man in the judgemental eyes of his fellow countryman, Zacchaeus was forced to climb a tree in order to steal a look at his Saviour. Jesus, of course, had a heart big enough for a small man like Zacchaeus and He offered to go to Zacchaeus's house for the day.

Despite my familiarity with the story, I was suddenly struck with awe as I read Zacchaeus's response:

"Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." (Luke 19:8)

Jesus did not rebuke Zacchaeus for his sin. Jesus did not condemn his acts of dishonesty towards his fellow countryman. Jesus did not tell him to make right his wrong before coming to the Messiah. Jesus merely extended his invitation of love to Zacchaeus just as he was. With arms opened wide.

And yet, this undeserving love did what no amount of condemnation or rebuke could do. It melted a man's heart. It walked a sinner through the gates of grace.

And a precious child of God was eternally altered.

That's the power of love. Undeserving love.

Grace like rain falls down on me

"Grace... the last good word in the English language."

-Philip Yancey, "What's So Amazing About Grace?"

My God is a holy God. He demands perfection and holiness. He commanded that we turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, and love our enemies, all of which I have failed miserably. Lust is to Him an act of adultery and hatred amounts to murder, and of course, I have not failed to do either. How can I please a holy God when my righteous acts are like filthy rags in His sight?

He knew I was never gonna be good enough for His standards, but He was more than good enough to me. I could not reach up, so God reached down.

He reached down and lifted me up from my wretched disposition. Grace like rain falls down on me. And I am drenched.

Bookworm-athon

Just a little bragging (and sharing!). I went through 5 books this summer (so far!). Good reads they are!

1. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
2. Why? by Vernon Brewer
3. The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey (Great book! Very refreshing. Highly recommended!)
4. To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee (Another amazing book!)
5. What's So Amazing about Grace? by Philip Yancey (Highly recommended!)

Well, if you haven't already realised, I am very proud of myself! It's nice catching up on some reading for pleasure.

PS: Oh, did I mention that I am currently on Baker Street with Sherlock Holmes?

All the Right Answers

My many years spent in Sunday School has alerted me that, in spite of what they say, there are right answers to "Christian questions," safe generic answers that is, that will not betray your true self.

"Children, what do you do when you are sick?" "Pray to Jesus!" comes the answer, without a second thought, even though Mummy is all they want when are actually ill. "Do you know who loves you the most?" "Jesus!" comes the answer, although their parents are the only ones who mean the world to them.

Just like the little children who were subconsciously taught to memorise the right answers, we too are all too familiar with giving the right answers.

What must one do in order to be saved?
"We must acknowledge that we are sinners, confess with our mouths, and believe and accept that Jesus has died to take away our sins."

It is no wonder that Kevin Roose, author of "The Unlikely Disciple," who came to Liberty University as an undercover (of sorts), managed to join the church choir to sing praises to the God he has never personally known and went on a mission trip to preach the gospel of the Jesus he has never believed in. As ironic as it may sound, it's not that unbelievable after all. Knowing all the right answers is not that hard to accomplish. Just say yes to the questions that you should say yes to, and no to the questions that you should say no to. It's almost a no-brainer.

But Christianity is not about knowing all the right answers; it's about being on the right side of eternity- the winning side. Knowing all the right answers is not hard at all, living out the right answers- that's the challenge!