“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17

Love Trumps Law

Recently I heard the testimony of a woman who had come out of darkness and out of deception. She heard no rousing sermon, no eloquent scripture passage, no Christian testimony. In fact, the testimony she had received from “Christians” was hate-filled and judgmental.

In her questioning and confusion, in her fears and doubts, God showed up. In due time, she found a Bible, and then a church. She went there the first time in fear. She didn’t know how she would be received. Praise God for His amazing grace that here she was met and welcomed and accepted as she was. Eventually she learned of the holiness of God, the cleansing work of repentance, and the joy of her salvation. She slowly made changes and took many baby steps learning to live in new ways.

During this process the people around her were patient. They did not point out her shortcomings or try to advise her how she should live now. They did speak the truth in love, but they let God make the changes.

All this to say, the big takeaway that penetrated my soul was the way Jesus has called us to a ministry of love and grace. Love is the thing that won her. Love was the thing that gave her freedom to learn and grow on her own timetable. Love was the thing that brought inner healing. Jesus is all about the love.

I think there is a fear that if we don’t point out the sin and quote chapter and verse, we are somehow denying God’s truth and demand for holiness. There may be a tendency to think this person should look like I look, speak like I speak, and “fit in” with the expectations of what a Christian should look like. Just because you are loving someone where they are, as they are, does not mean you condone sin. Most likely they are keenly aware of their sin and don’t need you to highlight and underline it. Give God time to work. He is gentle and compassionate.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14).

Can we be patient? Can we offer up generous helpings of grace, grace, grace? The law will be fulfilled through grace.

As an addendum to this amazing woman’s story, she has been actively and radically involved in ministry for almost twenty years now. Love wins!

Father, You amaze me. You find Your lost sheep. You bring them home. Help us not to get in Your way. Amen.