Are we moving in grace and love?

  Christ is revealed to those around us when we keep His word while demonstrating His humility and love.

LUKE 11: 37-44

37 While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. 38 The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. 39 And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you.

42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.44 Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.”

Are we so different from the Pharisee?  At times  in our lives we have all walked in the laws of God without having the love of God. It is important the we keep the word of God.  In fact, Christ makes it clear that in order to please the Father we must keep his words. Yet He calls  us to do this as He did in love. ¹⁵ If ye love me, keep my commandments. He also promises to give us a Comforter.

John 14: 15-17

¹⁵ If ye love me, keep my commandments.¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for eve¹⁷ Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

The following is a short story that may better illustrate my meaning.

There was a man who wanted to learn how to dance in order to please his wife.  He came across a kit " learn how to dance, step-by-step instructions." He eagerly purchased the kit, went home and shut himself in his office.  He opened the kit and pulled out a set of cut out footprints with directions to set them out in steps.  He then began to methodically move placing his feet over the print cutouts. 1,2,3 and 1,2,3 he chanted as he danced around the office in rough uncoordinated movements.

His spouse entered the room and with a look of astonishment gasped, " what are you doing?"  With great pride he exclaimed I am dancing!  She smiled gently and turned on the music. Taking his had she taught him to dance and the movements that were once rigid and methodical began to flow.  It was no longer difficult but seemed natural over time the dance became beautiful.

The Love found in Christ by His Holy Spirit is the music to which our souls dance.  If you have ever tried to dance without music by learning the steps you know that it is difficult, even awkward lacking beauty and grace.  The methodical dull motions would do nothing to persuade the onlookers to join you in your dance. If you do convince someone go join you will likely step all over one another's feet.  Injury is imminent! The effect is the same when we live our lives trying to keep the commandments of God without the Love of God.  It is not beautiful, not graceful and turns people away from Him rather than drawing them into Him.  Worst of all it injures those around us. However, when music of love is introduced the law becomes something beautiful, previously dry instructions take on life.  The movements begin to flow and grace and beauty are revealed. 

If you find that you are always trying to “be good” to keep the laws, and feeling angry, disappointed and dry; you may be trying to dance without the music.

^{John 3 :17}

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.