What Grace Is, And, Is Not

Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the court secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the LORD’s Temple!” Then Hilkiah gave the scroll to Shaphan, and he read it. Shaphan went to the king and reported, “Your officials have turned over the money collected at the Temple of the LORD to the workers and supervisors at the Temple.” Shaphan also told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a scroll.” So Shaphan read it to the king. When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair. Then he gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the court secretary, and Asaiah the king’s personal adviser: “Go to the Temple and speak to the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah. Inquire about the words written in this scroll that has been found. For the LORD’s great anger is burning against us because our ancestors have not obeyed the words in this scroll. We have not been doing everything it says we must do.” [2 Kings 22.8-13]

By this time in history of Israel, many prophets had already been on the scene. By this time, there already existed the writings of these prophets with their warnings of doom.

But, interestingly enough, it was not the writings of the prophets that brought about the repentance of Josiah, King of Judah. It was the writings of Moses - the Book of the Law. It would have probably consisted of what we know today as Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

From the Book of the Law, Josiah was able to understand that God's people were certainly in trouble. So certain was Josiah of this that he tore his clothes in despair and repentance.

Dear reader, please realize that the problem was not that Israel had stopped offering sacrifices! Please don't ignorantly exclaim, "Grace, grace!" as if Jesus' life, death, and resurrection negates the application of this story to us today! No, the problem was not that Israel stopped offering sacrifices! The problem was that their sacrifices had become misdirected to idols!

For my people have abandoned me and offered sacrifices to pagan gods, and I am very angry with them for everything they have done. My anger will burn against this place, and it will not be quenched.’ [2 Kings 22.17]

Here is the point: Jesus' work on modern believers' behalf is of no avail if we embrace sin. Israel continued to sacrifice, but their sacrifices had become tainted in their direction. If we think for a moment that Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf gives us "grace" to sin, we have become misdirected and have greatly erred! When we sin and claim "Grace!" as if it allows sin, we have made the sacrifice of Jesus a perverse imitation of what God intended. We have done the same thing Israel did! We must repent.

The message of repentance is timeless. The Law of God is timeless. But, thank God, the blood of Jesus covers the repentant and opens the Kingdom to all who are so.

Father, thank You for this revelation of what grace is, and, is not.