Grace, The Opposite of Karma


If you count up the number of times Jesus used the word “grace” compared to the amount of times grace is used in the rest of the New Testament, can you guess how many times? Zero. Really. Not once in any of the four gospels does the Bible record Jesus using the word “grace” in his earthly ministry. Seems odd considering He epitomizes grace. John’s Gospel mentions grace, but the words are present as part of John’s narrative. 

How would you define grace? It’s one of the most thrilling terms used in Scripture. Often it’s misunderstood, squandered and even applied so loosely so as to be glossed over without fully appreciating the depth of its message. 

Divine grace is a theological term present in many religions. In Christianity, it is a divine influence which operates in humans to regenerate and sanctify, to inspire and to impart strength to endure trials and resist temptations.

Advent Grace. It is a love that stops, stoops, cares and rescues; It’s the love of God shown to the unlovely; The Sholom of God given to the restless. Grace is the opposite of karma. Judgement kills, but grace makes alive. As recipients of grace we are privileged to serve as agents of God’s grace. So may you grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…#pkes



2nd Sunday of Advent - Grace 
The Collect (KOL-ekt)
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to … prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings …” Amen.

The Hebrew Testament
”…A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse…[T]he spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge … He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge…” Isaiah 11 

The Epistle
“… Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it…” Hebrews 4:16

The Gospel
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke…“I baptize you with water for repentance, but one {Jesus the Christ} who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Matthew 3

Grace
Grace, it’s also a name 
She takes the blame
She covers the shame
Removes the stain
It could be her name
But it’s an action - that changed the game
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