Radical Love (yesterday's post) swims in the pool of Radical Grace.
Sin is birthed out of temptation that morphs into intent and most often, into action.
Once we are on the road to intent (to sin), we are in need of forgiveness.
I intend to cheat on my taxes? I need forgiveness at that point of decision.
I intend to criticize a family member without seeking to understand? I need forgiveness at that heart moment.
I intend to smear the character of a person, a place, trying to usher in God's momentum of love and grace? I need to check my intent.
How do we test our intent?
Is it disguised as a critical spirit?
Even the most religiously oriented people--especially the most religiously oriented people--can get caught up in the clever disguise of a critical spirit.
Here is a way to test our intent: Jesus, I think my measure of [this] situation represents You, but to be sure, please immerse it in Your pool of Radical Grace. Then I know I will extend Your love, not my mistaken identity with a critical spirit. While You are at it, immerse my whole being into the pool as well.
The Pharisees were right that Jesus came to do something with the Law. They assumed the worst--that He would rock their steady boat of hammering law into the little people.
Sure enough, He knocked their boat off its moorings. He set it afloat in His pool of Radical Grace, where, when it was sufficiently sunk, it would be soaked through and through with His Radical Love.
Get knocked off your moorings. Trust the pool.
