From the time I purchased Tye Tribbett’s Fresh album, the 13th track in the Cd ‘When the Rocks Hit The Ground, has not ceased playing on my iTunes, my Blackberry, everywhere! The first time I played the song, I felt it’s one of those songs that was, ‘aight’. It took me listening to the same track for a whole week before I could fully comprehend the story of Grace behind the song. The lyrics have captivated my heart. It has pierced through my soul. It reminds me of how vulnerable we can be in the hands of man.But grace!
Pretence, judgement and condemnation-how many can boast of not occasionally being a party to these moral ills?For some this is even a continuous battle.
The story of the adulteress in John 8 teaches us about the grace and mercy of God.The first chorus in Tye’s song opens up with ‘’And then I’m thrown down on my knees. Brought to Jesus by enemies. They wait with stones to condemn me.’’ It’s easy to crucify another person because they have sinned. We gossip. We castigate. We curse. We treat them like a man with leprosy when we ought to be the helping hand to bring them back up on their feet. We take life out of and suffocate our neighbour when they are trying hard to survive. We point fingers without realizing the remaining fingers are pointing right back at us.Altogether, we put on the cloak of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees. With our stones and sticks in hand, we are ready to stone and inflict pain on the woman caught in adultery.
What about us?Why do we fall and are so quick to make excuses?Why is there always a tangible reason to justify our wrong? Did God ever create a man worthy of blame and another blameless?Just because it’s us. Just because it’s us;it’s alright.It’s okay.We can transgress and get away.We have the right to forgiveness.But the next person,’oh no!’ Their sin is too grave. It’s black and big.Unpardonable.Beyond mercy.Therefore,they deserve to be punished.They have to pay and endure a cross that Christ already took upon Himself for our freedom. How much more selfish can we ever get?
I love the way Jesus stepped in with grace when everyone else cared less.‘’But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again, he stooped down and wrote on the ground. ”When the people got this response and realized their own guilt, they shamefully walked away. ‘At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.” Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said.“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
I write and speak out of a heart that has judged, blamed, spoken evil of others, and condemned before.I still do sometimes.Nevertheless,I believe in God’s power to break,mould and change us.Through Grace we can become better .Every time I feel like moaning, destroying my neighbour’s reputation because they have offended me,I think of God’s love, grace, mercy and longsuffering.The person we stab is someone else’s father, mother, husband,wife,sister, brother.Just as I would not have anyone speak evil of mine,they feel just as much.They may be struggling with things you don’t know about.They may be in need of just a little help. You don’t want to tear down a man already on the floor.Where else would they go?
Who among us is more grace-worthy than the other?If I think I stand, I must take heed lest I also fall. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him (God) a liar, and His word is not in us.For all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. But grace and mercy has redeemed us.There is room for correction and discipline because God corrects those whom He loves.But judge not.Only speak the truth in love.
The next a brother falls and the rocks hit the ground,and we feel like eating them whilst they are alive,remember:’’ The LORD is merciful and gracious. Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever.He has not dealt with us according to our sin.Nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth,So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him.For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust…”
Grace is available for you and for me…God looks at the worst in us and still loves us. He sees the best in us when everyone else sees the worst. He can fix the mess.If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Shalom,
Adja Amy.
Bible References : John 1:8-11, Psalm 103, 1 John 1:8-10
Book Recommendation : What’s So Amazing About Grace –Philip Yancey
Song Recommendation : Your Grace Is Enough-Darwin Hobbs ;The Best In Me/Don’t Count Me Out -Marvin Sapp
From My Heart-Media by Adja Amy 