| God Spot This Christian Resource Blog has been created by a group of friends from around the world. Our purpose is to provide links to useful resources, some commentary on topical or doctrinal issues, a place where anyone can come with questions and a means whereby we can share our faith. And above all, to grow and encourage each other. As Christians, we believe we bear God's image in this world, and seek to glorify God's name in this endeavour. Any Christian who wants to join with us is very welcome! |
||
| . | ||
|
Information Scripture Resources Interesting Links Archives |
Thursday, September 25, 2003 Anthony Rocca and Grace!Because football (the AFL variety, where A=Australian!) involves so much passion, it's a great analogy for lots of Really Important things in life.And with that One Day in September almost upon us (the AFL Grand Final on Saturday), the passion can be almost unbearable (especially for the likes of our Gary B and his beloved Brisbane Lions, who do battle with traditional Victorian club Collingwood for the ultimate prize). Now, one of Collingwood's biggest and most exciting champions, and certainly their toughest, has been found guilty of striking (in last week's preliminary final) and suspended - so he's OUT of the big one! Heart-breaking stuff, for the Collingwood Football Club, their supporters, but especially for the guy himself. Now, Rocca pleaded not guilty but the tribunal found otherwise. Once he was found guilty, there was no option but for Rocca to pay the penalty, which was a 2-match suspension. Which in this case is particularly tough, because one of those 2 matches is the only one that counts, the Grand Final! Which brings us to the subject of GRACE. Being guilty, what Rocca was desperately in need of was grace from the tribunal - ie. "I deserve to pay the penalty for my guilt, but please give me something that I don't deserve - which is my freedom from that awful penalty". Now the tribunal, being a legal entity, had two options (had Rocca pleaded for grace, which with hindsight might have been his best option, instead of pleading "not guilty"). The tribunal could have exercised justice and, having found him guilty, enforced the just penalty - which is what they did. Or the tribunal could have exercised grace, and given Rocca what he didn't deserve - an exoneration. But in this case, justice wouldn't have been done. In human legal courts, we can have one (justice) or the other (grace), but not the two together. The remarkable thing is that God in His wisdom organised for grace and justice to come together at the cross, so that justice was satisfied (this is particularly important, because God being a just God must punish sin - He can't just wink and say "you're forgiven" - altho we'd be quite happy with that!). Jesus took the penalty, the wrath of God, so that we - the undeserving sinners who are without doubt guilty, walk free. Unlike poor Anthony Rocca, we walk free from the tribunal (even though we're as guilty as all heck - and we know it!) because someone else has paid the penalty to the Judge's satisfaction, on our behalf. We don't even need to feel guilty about it, rather we step out with the spring of freedom from guilt in our step, knowing that we'll be participating in the Big One! 1Jn1:8-9 "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." That verse tells us that God is just to forgive our sins - it's not God's mercy that we're depending on for forgiveness, it's God's justice - because the penalty has been paid in full, God being a just (and faithful) God must forgive us (as we fulfill the condition - "confess our sins"). And Can it Be (by Charles Wesley) And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Savior's blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain- For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? He left His Father's throne above So free, so infinite His grace- Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam's helpless race: 'Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me! 'Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me! # posted by geoff @ 9:19 am 0 comments
Comments:
Post a Comment
|
|
| << That's it! But checkout the Archives for more... | ||
|
||