God’s grace is greater than sin

If sin was more significant than grace? No one could experience salvation. And Jesus could’ve been born. The lineage of Jesus Christ speaks of God’s grace. In Matthew’s book, chapter 1 in verse 3, Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar. Now Tamar was Judah’s daughter-in-law. She married two of Judah’s sons, and both died; now, the custom in those days was when a man married, if he died. His younger brother would marry his brother’s wife to bring forth seed for his brother. In Tamar’s situation, Judah, her father-in-law, felt his daughter-in-law was the problem and not his sons. He refused to give another son to her. With the process of time, Judah’s wife died, and he went to shear sheep. When Tamar learned of her father-in-law’s travel arrangements, she decided to change her clothes, put on a veil, and play a harlot. Once the deed was done, Judah gave her his signet cord and staff until he could bring her a goat for her services. But when Judah and his friend returned, they couldn’t find her to retrieve his ring and staff. 

Some months passed, and Judah was told his daughter-in-law has played a harlot and is now with child. So, Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned!” When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, ” By the man to whom these belong, I am with child.” So, Judah acknowledged her and said, “She has been more righteous than I because I did not give her to Shelah, my son,” Gen. 38:6-26. Now, this lady Tamar is the great-grandmother of Jesus Christ, after the flesh. However, the law was yet to be given to Israel, but Tamar’s act of deception wasn’t an event to be celebrated. Then you have Ruth a Moabite, another situation where her people had a curse pronounced on them to the tenth generation, Deuteronomy 23:3. She is also apart of the lineage of Jesus Christ.

In the book of Ruth, you can see how God worked out everything for her. She marries a rich man, and they had a son named Obed, and he begot Jesse, and Jesse begot King David. Now King David had Solomon by her, who was the wife of Uriah. Okay, now that’s some drama! But all this is in the lineage of Jesus Christ. For the benefit of the believer to see the grace of God. God’s grace is greater than sin! God didn’t use perfect people! In Matthew chapter 1, to bring forth His precious Son. It’s assuring to know that Father God saw fit to use the imperfect to bring forth the perfect. That’s means I don’t have to be flawless to be used by God. 

I used to think all the people in the Bible were perfect. Otherwise, why would all the pastors or teachers who taught the Bible so angry? Sure God gave some apostles, prophets, and some evangelists, pastors, and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ, Eph. 11-12. God’s word taught in context will bring joy to your soul. But when you only get part of a story and apply the conditions as if it’s right for you because it’s in the Bible. It must be in context. Like, the Ten Commandments, which were never given to the church, see Exodus 20. They were given to the Children of Israel, again see Exodus 20. And even then, God knew His people couldn’t keep the law. At the end of Exodus 20, He said to build an altar, Exodus 20:24. Why? Because God still wanted to bless His people. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins, Heb. 9:22 and Levi. 17:11. What a good God! God never wanted or intended for His people to be servants to laws. Throughout the Bible is evidence of God’s grace. The best example, look at Jesus! The author and finisher of our faith, Heb. 12:2, who for the joy that was set before Him. Endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. He took my shame! So, why? Do I act like I still have it? Because every church I ever attended. I want to believe in good conscience preached sin-consciousness. In an afford to teach good behavior. But good behavior isn’t good enough. Jesus said, “You shall not commit adultery. I tell you that whoever looks at a woman. To lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart, Matt. 5:27-28. I perceive God is more concerned with the state of our heart than our conduct. Whatever is in our heart comes out of our mouth. The Bible says, It is with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation, Romans 10:10. Jesus also said, “For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also, Luke 12:34. Of course, God has much to say about the heart of man!    

All I have to do is receive Jesus Christ in my heart as my Lord and savior, Romans 10:9-10. When I receive Him, I receive my righteousness, II Corin. 5:21. I receive my completion! The truth is all scripture from Genesis to Revelation is given by God’s inspiration and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God is complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work, 2 Tim. 3:16-17. The Bible is God speaking to you. Open it and let Him talk to you! 

God loves you, and Jesus is Lord!