Full of Grace Page #2

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the living word

until their minds

are exhausted.

They demand something new,

even greater signs that

we really do hold the truth.

The frailties

of our humanity,

to never be satisfied,

to always be seeking,

perhaps that is

what God used

as our greatest

strength...

holes in our hearts

so big,

only he can fill them.

The men I speak of know

what our Lord has to offer,

and yet they choose

to be swayed

every way the wind blows.

What would you

say to them?

I would say that

they know the truth,

but they do not

know him.

Take that one.

Isn't this beautiful?

When I take this walk

to remember him like this,

I find that all the other

complications in life disappear.

No, it is beautiful.

The world out there doesn't

care about that sentiment.

Chaos reigns,

and people

are persecuted.

I wish it was as easy to solve

their problems with a walk.

It's not the reality

we're in.

He never told us it was

going to be an easy road.

Perhaps remembering

where it all began

will help you figure out

where it ends.

Master,

we have worked hard

all night,

and we haven't caught

anything,

but because you say so,

I will let down the nets.

Go away from me, Lord.

I am a sinful man.

Sorry to disturb you.

Oh, no, it's okay.

I was...

somewhere else.

It's a sweet drink,

a gift from visitors

from the East.

Thank you.

Here, please, come sit.

Can I ask you

a question?

Of course.

You were just a child

when all this began.

You never met him.

You never heard him speak.

You never even saw him

from afar.

Yet you...

have more faith

than most people.

How is that possible?

My mother died

in childbirth,

my father soon after.

I was lost,

alone,

but Mary took me in

as her own.

She cared for me.

She loved me when

she didn't have to.

She has told me

all the stories,

but that is not what

makes me believe.

When I look into her eyes,

when I see how she lives,

that's how I know

it's all true.

I see him in her.

I hear him because of her.

Mm. Mm.

Mother,

how do you feel?

It won't be long.

I can hear the faint choir

of the angels.

I sent word to the others.

Have I ever told you

what it was like

for me in the beginning?

No.

I would like to hear it.

It was as if a bright light

from the very throne room

of heaven

was shining directly upon me,

following me

everywhere I went,

and yet, everywhere else,

it was darkness...

Darkness of the kind

I had never known before...

Darkness that only

this light could expose.

And it was so lonely

in the light.

But the light was

the only comfort I had.

Why didn't you tell them?

Faith is not about

explaining things.

It is about living

and breathing

and walking in that light

that is upon us.

But we will suffer

in the light.

At times, our souls

will be squeezed dry

down to the very

deepest roots.

We will wither

and grow weary

to where we cannot take

one step more.

The light will fade

to the faintest glimmer,

nothing more than a grain

of sand on the shore.

But the light

will never disappear.

This walk of faith

comes with a promise...

The promise that we

will never be abandoned.

Joseph, son of David,

do not be afraid

to take Mary home as your wife

because what is conceived in her

is from the Holy Spirit.

She will give birth to a son,

and you are to give him

the name Jesus

because he will save his people

from their sins.

- Ah.

- Brother, how are you?

Better now.

How is mother?

Won't be long.

- Peter.

- Simon.

- It's been a long journey, huh?

- Yeah.

It's good to see you.

Okay, come,

come, please.

John,

I wanted to apologize

for not speaking with you

after your brother's death.

I had to leave

the city immediately,

but I wanted to be with you

as you mourned.

He has been reunited

with the Lord.

We must rejoice, brother.

All of us should be so fortunate

to die with our hearts

singing praises to God

in front of unbelievers.

You are right.

Brother James, may the Lord

bless you and keep you,

and may you rejoice

in the Lord's presence,

and may God give us

the strength and power

and courage

to die as you did.

Brother James,

please, pray for us.

Thank you.

There are urgent matters

that we must discuss.

We've all read Paul's letters,

and from Jerusalem

to Pontus,

people are looking for answers.

Pagan converts continue

to disobey the law

and lead others astray

in the name of our Lord.

I am aware of the problems

in Jerusalem.

I have just come

from Pontus.

So, then,

what should be done?

Paul says that Gentiles

should not have to follow

the rules and customs

to receive the Spirit

and be saved.

So they are allowed

to turn their back

on the law and tradition?

Peter, it's outrageous.

You have seen with

your own eyes what happens

when you turn your back

on the law and tradition.

What Paul is saying is that

those who do not understand

our laws and traditions

and customs,

should they not be allowed

to hear the good news?

It is for them

as much as it is for us.

If our traditions and customs

keep them from understanding,

is that not a wall?

Walls to what, Peter?

Walls to a holy life?

These men and women have been

saved by the grace of God,

so does not

the same grace of God

continue to save them,

no matter what they do?

There is no limit in grace,

I agree,

but what is grace

if you've thrown out truth?

I tell you, brothers,

this concerns me.

We must be more vigilant.

I fear the day that

we become a slogan,

an institution

led by wicked men

to further their own gains

or that they may use

this cause to hurt others

as many of my zealot brothers

and I have done before.

Peter, when you

are dead and buried,

who will be there

to keep straight the path?

So what would you

have us do, Simon?

Stop preaching?

I don't know,

but I feel that the divide

has become too great

between Jewish

and Gentile believer.

We have all held the law

to its entirety.

We have all been circumcised,

observing the rules

of purification.

We all spend time

in the temple

for morning

and afternoon prayers.

It is true that these things

are no longer required

for salvation,

but what

will the Gentiles have

when they are faced

with the enemy's lies

or they are deceived

by another leader's

trickery or words?

Peter, you cannot deny

that you have heard

these disturbing rumors

of wayward followers

who are using

our sacred ceremonies

as gatherings

to sexual perversions

and infant sacrifices.

You see what happens

when they turn their back

on the law and tradition.

They lack knowledge

of how to live daily

in the light of truth.

I am not saying

that these men

have not received

the Holy Spirit,

but I ask and question this:

what happens after

they receive the Spirit,

and how may our traditions

instruct them

so that they may not stray

from the Spirit?

If they have truly

received the Spirit,

then why would they throw away

the truth and the law?

They don't throw it out.

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