The distance we fall from God's grace is not measured by how quick we can come back!

The distance we fall from God’s grace is not measured by how quick we can come back!

Stand back and view ourselves as in a mirror staring at a person who has turned away from God, his mercy, and wonder what has happened to this person in need.  That may be the very fear of how sin has corrupted you and me, looking at the path we just fell away from.  

Perhaps the one watching us is God having a glimpse of his most precious creation turning and going down a path that can only lead to perdition.  “I never created anything evil, yet the essence of evil has corrupted my children and the grace I handed them will now need my Son to reach into a fallen leaf from the branch of the tree of hope.”  Words that God may have spoken as he prepared to save his unsuspecting children from eternal death.

When the wind begins to blow from the West bringing the sign of storms soon to be upon us, anything standing without protection may be soaked or blown away.  We learn from past experiences how unstable the force of weather can be destructive and tear down anything not held firmly in place.  

Jesus spoke of a vine that holds its branches in a secure entity of eternal strength.  “I am the vine, you are the branches.  Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing..  Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.  By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”  (Jn 15: 5 - 8).  

“You are not a God who delights in evil; no wicked person finds refuge with you: the arrogant cannot stand before you, You hate all who do evil; you destroy all who speak falsely .  Murderers and deceivers the Lord abhors.”  (Ps 5: 5 - 7).  A prayer of hope that God will hear this lament.  

What has occurred in the plight of man that has led him away from the roots where he received strength from the branch that held him so close and loosened him from the vine that held him.  

“The wind blows where it wills, and you cannot hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”  (Jn 3: 8).

Hold on to the roots from which you came when the wind from sin begins to blow and threatens your safety less you lose your grip and are torn away into the darkness.

As we fall from the grace that holds us close to God, reach out to God’s Son, Jesus Christ who is the vine and suck in the fruit of grace and return back to him who is the God of purity and peace.       

Ralph B. Hathaway