Rev. Ray and Pat Amos

Luke 19-13 KJV

“He called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Conduct business with this until I return,’ he said.”

The longer that I live the more I realize the value of grace. This is not just because we are so skilled with sin. My appreciation of grace is because immortal work has been placed in mortal hands. We have been entrusted with the keys to the kingdom.

It is our Christian responsibility to “occupy” or conduct the Lord’s business until the day that Christ returns. Grace is needed because we don’t know what we are doing a good bit of the time. Grace is necessary because we are so much like Peter who never let the fact that he didn’t know what to say keep him from saying it anyway.

It doesn’t matter if it is a large conference like the U.M.C. just endured, or if it is a committee of three making decisions about ministry in a small church; all our work has eternal significance.

In this life we are given few opportunities for a second chance. Make a mistake in the workplace and you might get another shot at it; make the mistake again and you are out. A single word spoken out of place can ruin a person’s life when tried and judged by social media. The world apart from Christ seems unable to practice grace. The church with Christ is much better with it, but it can sure struggle also.

It is different with our Lord. Peter knew the depth that a person could go in sin. When he denied knowing Jesus, he wept bitterly for what was sure to be the end of his walk with God. Then he experienced the power of grace when the Lord forgave him; and proved his forgiveness by putting Peter back to work: “Feed my lambs, and tend my sheep.”

Grace isn’t for those who deserve it, but for the ones who need it. If we are going to do the Lord’s work, we are going to need plenty of grace. We are all in this life together as we strive to reach our eternal home. These are strange times in our world and sometimes faithfulness to the Word and loving one another can feel more like walking a tight rope than standing on solid ground. Someone is praying that you don’t fall; another is hoping that you will. “Dear God, give us all grace.”

I know that First UMC Elizabethton exends a loving welcome to all. The only ones who might feel uncomfortable would be the sinless and self-righteous. Let the church sing, “Come, ye sinners, poor and needy, weak and wounded, sick and sore; Jesus ready stands to save you, full of pity, love and power. I will arise and go to Jesus; He will embrace me in His arms…”

Grace and Peace, Rev Ray (2/27/2019)

“Link to YouTube Video – Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy”