What if scandalous didn’t refer to our sin but God’s grace?
- by Andy Wulff
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” -- Matthew 18:21(ESV)
Scandalous. When we hear this word associated with church, we all cringe. Another story. Another fall. Another blight. But what if it wasn’t. What if scandalous didn’t refer to our sin but God’s grace? God’s grace is so big, so extravagant, so freely given that it has been referred to as scandalous. Often this scandal isn’t seen or felt when God’s grace is applied to us. (Because if we were really honest, we feel we deserve it). But when God’s grace is applied to someone else, especially those we think fail the most, we think of God’s grace as scandalous.
This week, we look at a difficult and pointed parable called the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew 18. The ideas here apply to sinners and those in any relationship. So in other words, all of us. I’d encourage you to take a look at this parable before Sunday. Kevin will be opening up the word to us. Hope to see you there, and bring someone with you.
Scandalous. When we hear this word associated with church, we all cringe. Another story. Another fall. Another blight. But what if it wasn’t. What if scandalous didn’t refer to our sin but God’s grace? God’s grace is so big, so extravagant, so freely given that it has been referred to as scandalous. Often this scandal isn’t seen or felt when God’s grace is applied to us. (Because if we were really honest, we feel we deserve it). But when God’s grace is applied to someone else, especially those we think fail the most, we think of God’s grace as scandalous.
This week, we look at a difficult and pointed parable called the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew 18. The ideas here apply to sinners and those in any relationship. So in other words, all of us. I’d encourage you to take a look at this parable before Sunday. Kevin will be opening up the word to us. Hope to see you there, and bring someone with you.
