The Greatest Interruption
#90
On Monday, I shared about the culture of political anger that has created an environment of political violence. You can read it here.
Right after I pushed publish, then I saw this tweet come through from Glenn Packiam,
“I’m seeing a lot of posts essentially saying “violence begets violence”, “hateful rhetoric incites hateful actions”. This kind of thinking is in line with a strand of Torah teaching— sowing & reaping, etc. But the gospel interrupts this cycle with GRACE. Sowing & reaping is natural wisdom baked into the created world. But undeserved mercy, an unearned gift— this is the wisdom of God in Christ.
Christians: We are formed by grace. Let our speech be seasoned with grace. Move beyond the cycle mindset. Interrupt hate with kindness.”
I so wish I had said that: Grace is the great interruption.
We see this in the Old Testament with The Israelites, God’s chosen people, (whose closest equivalent today is The Church) when they would walk away from God, turn towards other idols, God would interrupt them with the Torah, with a prophet, with a Judge, or even with a King.
We especially see this with Jesus. Romans 5:6 says, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” He didn’t just die for us and show us grace, but he also commanded radical grace, especially in the Sermon on the Mount.
“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also…
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:38,39,43-45
Grace is the great interruption of cycle of chaos. And it is something that you and I desperately need to receive and need to be. The only way to be graceful is to have first deeply received grace from God. Grace can not be mustered up with will power, but only can be channeled through us by God.
Love,
Aaron