THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 5:1-11
“Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8)
Did you notice that Jesus blesses Peter BEFORE Peter repents?
In my experience, Christian practice has been the opposite.
Before they’re allowed in the boat with Jesus, they must repent.
But by this practice, are we not reinforcing the judgment of the law?
This is not Jesus’ way; He graced people right up front, no action needed.
The only exceptions seem to be religious people, who were already graced.
Grace is the key to repentance, to seeing our need for God’s mercy and love.
I believe that we need to grace people before they repent or believe.
Treat them in a way they do not deserve, the way God treated us!
By this grace, the Spirit softens the heart to produce repentance.
Think of a neighour, or co-worker, someone who does not live a godly life.
Do we avoid them, talk bad about them, or even criticize them?
Or do we grace them beyond their deserving, beyond their expectation?
Do we trust the Spirit to do His work of conviction… through grace?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, Your undeserved mercy is what softened and changed my heart. Help me to spread this result, by sharing Your undeserved mercy with others!
Disappointed with no fish after the night’s work
and yet
Simon hears Jesus and does the command.
God works in mysterious ways in us and through us for His glory.
Greater things happen when we depend on His Word
rather upon just our own efforts.
In our daily living I need to LightShine
and catch people letting His Light shine through me.
That Light must be evident in the way I speak, do, live, witness.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, shine, shine
Let it shine!
Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine
Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine
Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, shine, shine
Let it shine!
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, shine, shine
Let it shine!
All up in my house, I’m gonna let it shine
All up in my house, I’m gonna let it shine
All up in my house, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, shine, shine
Let it shine!
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, shine, shine
Let it shine!