May 26, 2015

Scandalous

by Ashley Jensen in Blog, Christianity, COMMUNICATE, LIFE

scandal

Grace, what have you done?

Murdered for me on that cross
Accused in absence of wrong
My sin washed away in Your blood

Too much to make sense of it all
I know that Your love breaks my fall
The scandal of grace, You died in my place
So my soul will live – Hillsong United

So as I was listening to the song (click the image above to hear it) from Hillsong United, “Scandal of Grace” and I realized that Jesus was as scandalous as they come. He did scandalous things according to the culture of His day. He hung out with prostitutes, con men, and hustlers. He challenged the religious, He upset the self-righteous, He ruffled the sinners as well. Jesus was the most loved and the most hated. He didn’t have a middle ground, He was the ground. No one could match His wisdom yet no one could match His love. His love was scandalous.

Scandalous defined is causing general public outrage by a perceived offense against morality or law. I’ve been scandalous in the past and… yes, so have you. If people really saw our hearts, if they really saw our sick, dark secrets not one of us has any moral ground to stand on. I’d say we would all lose a lot of Facebook friends. It’s sad to see so many Christians live a self-righteous, judgmental life pointing their finger at everyone around them except themselves! Judgement is just as sinful as anything else.

In life we will run into negative scandals that bring up so many questions that beg for answers. Instead of finding answers that may not really matter in our individual life we may want to increase our love. Scandals stir up negative emotions in everyone. The little judge and jury comes out in all of us but for a moment let’s stop and think. Let’s stop and think like Jesus. What’s more scandalous than someone’s sin is the covering of that sin through love. When love covers a scandal, it becomes even more scandalous. This is what Jesus did for us. This is the truth that every self-righteous bone in our body does not want to deal with. We want punishment, they need to pay! Crucify him! That’s what the crowd yelled when Jesus was before them and that’s what the crowd still yells today. Unfortunately it comes more from the church than anywhere else.

I’d admonish us as the church to be scandalous like Jesus and cover those who need it most. All of our time will come when we need the grace and mercy of God. I pray that when your time comes, not if but when, you experience the covering of love of God. I’ve experienced being uncovered by those who say they loved me and I’ve experienced being covered by those who truly do.

My goal in life is to become more like Jesus. I want my life to exude the love of God.I want to cover those who need grace. That’s scandalous.

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Please leave your thoughts if you feel led and let’s continue the conversation! May God bless you!

One Comment

  1. Tammy C
    May 26, 2015 at 5:47 am

    Awesome truths here in this article!! I learned a lot more about His love for me just by reading this. Thank you for blessing me!!! God bless you!

  2. Sunita Hines, Ph.D.
    May 26, 2015 at 6:40 am

    My prayer is to be as scandalous as Jesus and cover those who need it most! Absolutely love this write up Ashley! Thanks for revealing truths and areas where I need God’s help. Take care and enjoy your day!

  3. Elizabeth Watson
    May 26, 2015 at 6:45 am

    Amazing Word… And perception of His Perfect Grace & the UNENDING gift His Grace is & that we are always able to give.
    God Bless you!

  4. Tea Martin
    May 30, 2015 at 7:38 pm

    I have loved that song since its release and agree with what you so eloquently wrote. Keep writing and reaching the masses through it!

  5. Nick Capilla
    May 31, 2015 at 9:41 pm

    JSUS CHRIST. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT THEY SACRIFICED ANIMALS A SHEDDING OF BLOOD. TO COVER THEIR PAST YEAR SIN. JESUS CHRIST SHEDDING OF HIS BLOOD IS THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.FOR OUR PASTAND FUTURE SINS. THE BOOK OF ROMAN TEN TELLS US THAT IF WE CONFESS WITH OUR MOUTH THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, AND WITH OUR HEART WE BELIEVE.WE WILL BE SAVED. THE BOOK OF GELATIONS SAYS WE ALL SIN. AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD . WE ARE ALL SINNERS. WHO EVER SAYS THEY DON’T SIN THEY ARE LIARS. WE LIVE BY FAITH ,NOT BY SITE. IN THE BOOK OF GALATIANS TELLS US ABOUT THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT AND THE FRUITS FRUITS OF THE FLESH. THE BIBLE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, I CAN’T REMEMBER THE BOOK RIGHT NOW. YOUR FIRST HOMEWORK,. FAITH WITH OUT WORKS IS DEAD DEAD.THEIRS SOME RELIGION’S THAT SAY THEY HAVE TOO SACRIFICE OF THEIR TIME, AND OTHER THINGS. THE BIBLE. TELLS US CLEARLY THAT IF WE DO THIS THINGS AS A SACRIFICE. THAT THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST IS OF NOAVAIL. SO THE WORKS ARE OF THE SPIRIT. WICH I WILL SAY. LOVE, LONG-SOFERING- PATIENC.DOES NOT BOAST, NOT QUITE TO ANGER, IS NOT JUDGMENTAL. I CAN’T REMEMBER THE REST .THESE ARE THE WORKS WE LIVE BY. I CAN GO ON .THIS IS A GOOD PLACE TO STOP. EVERYBODY HAVE A FUN SAFE WONDERFUL BLESSED NIGHT.:-) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 I PUT SEVEN SMILES, BECAUSE GOD USED NUMBER SEVEN THROUGH OUT THE OLD TESTAMENT, AND THE NEW TESTAMENT.

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