Post by motivatedbygrace on Feb 25, 2007 10:54:11 GMT -5
Because You're Mine, I Walk The Line
Weekly Inspirations Motivated By Grace
by Matt Thompson
Weekly Inspirations Motivated By Grace
by Matt Thompson
"...But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground." - John 8:6
Johnny Cash wrote a song for Sun Records called "I Walk The Line". No doubt the majority of the public thought this was a mans song about a woman, but in reality, it was Johnny's story of being humbled to the Lord. His term "walk the line" was Johnny's expression of "still being true". In other words, by saying "he walked the line", he was saying in his own heart,"I am staying true to the Lord". If you were to review the words to the song, you would find a bit of Johnny's heart there within that song, that just happened to be his very first number 1 hit in 1956. Johnny's terminology may have been a bit more appropriate than even he realized, for there was a time when Jesus Himself "drew the line" that Mr. Cash spoke of walking.
In a great clamor of excitement, the top religious rulers of the day (Scribes and Pharisees) had brought a woman guilty of adultery before Jesus, anticipating they would trap Jesus in word or deed so they could accuse and persecute Jesus.
According to the law Moses had handed down, there was no rocket science at all. The guilty woman should be stoned to death, plain and simple. But they brought her to Jesus and asked a question concerning judgment, that they may also condemn Jesus..
So what was Jesus going to do? True enough, it was easy to see it was lawful ONLY to pronounce the only penalty given to sin... Death... But Jesus did something only Jesus could do. He came to "complete" the Law. Jesus, right then and there, that day, "drew the line" for us all to see.
I've heard a great many people speculate about exactly what it was our Savior wrote on the ground that wonderful day. It's true that the bible does not come outright and tell us exactly what the shapes in the sand were, but if we look close enough with our hearts and our relationship with Christ through The Holy Spirit, we can see a bit more than what's on the surface...
In contemplating the judgment of this young woman (and a great many more people unrealized to the crowd), our Savior drew a line. On one side of that line stood the judgment of the law... Death. On the other side of the line, where Jesus is, is Grace. Jesus used the law to show "everyone" there, their sin. He did not side-step nor change the law. He simply said, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." (John 8:7) One by one, the law had revealed to each and every person there as they examined their own hearts, that they also deserved death. One by one they left.
Then Jesus turned to the guilty one and proclaimed that He would not condemn her either, and instructed her to "Go From now on sin no more." - (John 8:11)
At that particular time, there is no record of anyone standing on the same side of the line as Jesus... on the side of His Grace and Mercy. However we do know there will come a time shortly thereafter that a great many will begin to "walk the line" of Grace. What a wonderful story...
The bible offers us up many things in knowledge and wisdom. But it also offers up things of "the Spirit". These things cannot be understood in the flesh, but only in the Spirit. - (1 Corinthians 2:14)
The Bible is all about the line Jesus drew that day. To us? The side of the line of His Grace is His sacrificial death for the sins of you and I and His Glorious Resurrection, our repentance, and the acceptance of Christ for who He is (not only what He can do for us). That's where His Grace saves us from an eternal death, separated from Him
On the opposite side of that line is the judgment of the law, of which there is but one verdict... Death. As perfect and righteous as God's Law is, there is no deliverance for you and I. God's Law cannot save anyone, for there are no "good" people in the world (Romans 3:23).
When trying to understand the Bible, these facts must always be kept in mind to properly understand the "entire" Word of God, which is in it's entirety, without conflict and in perfect harmony, with all Truth intersecting with all other Truth. If you think you've encounter a conflict of ANY scripture, one to another, then there is error in understanding and further study, prayer and meditation is required.
If you "walk the line" with Jesus? You're born again and you will make it through this journey of life, and the study of God's Word will abound in you greatly. There will be joy in your heart when all else seems hopeless and the circumstance of life seem overwhelming... Rest assured, there is One with Whom we walk that is the most Mighty, the most Fierce and the most Loving Warrior that ever will be... And He stands in our stead, on His side of line (Grace), which will teach us all things (Titus 2:11-14).
Keep these things in mind and take joy in your relationship with our Savior. It will be only for a little while, and we shall be with Him. God Bless us all! Amen...
"I Keep A Close Watch On This Heart Of Mine.
I Keep My Eyes Wide Open All The Time.
I Keep The Ends Out For The Tie That Binds.
Because You're Mine I Walk The Line."
I Keep My Eyes Wide Open All The Time.
I Keep The Ends Out For The Tie That Binds.
Because You're Mine I Walk The Line."
The "Weekly Inspirations Motivated By Grace" is written and owned by Matt Thompson and "Motivation By Grace Ministry", on the world wide web at: www.MotivationByGrace.org . Visit the site for much more in Christian learning and fellowship you will enjoy! Permission to duplicate this Weekly Inspiration in its entirety is freely granted when accompanied by this statement, and is done so without revision, editing or for monetary profit. (C)MBG Forums - 2006
