By Hazel Holland
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I had already posted this painting and post in Art From His Heart, but felt like I should re-post it here for those who may not check out the art blog, but would be blessed by the post.
While I was painting these watercolor flowers the other day I was reminded that Christians are called to be the aroma of grace in this world. But the message of God's love for sinners is often drowned out by our images of ungrace. Sadly all others see and smell of us at times is the scent of ungrace. Perhaps that's because Christians are increasingly perceived as religious moralists who want to control other people's lives.
While I was painting these watercolor flowers the other day I was reminded that Christians are called to be the aroma of grace in this world. But the message of God's love for sinners is often drowned out by our images of ungrace. Sadly all others see and smell of us at times is the scent of ungrace. Perhaps that's because Christians are increasingly perceived as religious moralists who want to control other people's lives.
Thus, our real challenge as Christians, particularly here in the USA,
should not be to try and Christianize America, or any other country for
that matter, but be God's hands and feet as we share His heart of love
and mercy for all people. That's what Jesus did. He attracted the most
unlikely people... the moral outcasts of society. And let's not forget
that it was NOT the notorious sinners who called for His death, but the
moralists.
Jesus came to establish a new kind of kingdom that could co-exist in Jerusalem, and also spread into Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth. That's why in one of His parables He warned that pulling up weeds may also destroy the wheat along with the weeds. So He advised us to leave all judgment to the one true Judge.
Although Paul had much to say about the immorality of individual members of the church, he had little to say about the immorality and abuses of pagan Rome. Both Jesus and Paul concentrated not on the pagan kingdom around them, but on the alternative kingdom of God.
So this leaves us with a very clear message of what we as believers need to be focused on. We're not called to restore morality to the United States, but to concentrate more on spreading the aroma of grace from the kingdom that is not of this world.♥
To see a larger copy of this painting or order a print of it, please click here. Then click on "Art Print" and you will be shown the different sizes that it comes in.
Jesus came to establish a new kind of kingdom that could co-exist in Jerusalem, and also spread into Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth. That's why in one of His parables He warned that pulling up weeds may also destroy the wheat along with the weeds. So He advised us to leave all judgment to the one true Judge.
Although Paul had much to say about the immorality of individual members of the church, he had little to say about the immorality and abuses of pagan Rome. Both Jesus and Paul concentrated not on the pagan kingdom around them, but on the alternative kingdom of God.
So this leaves us with a very clear message of what we as believers need to be focused on. We're not called to restore morality to the United States, but to concentrate more on spreading the aroma of grace from the kingdom that is not of this world.♥
To see a larger copy of this painting or order a print of it, please click here. Then click on "Art Print" and you will be shown the different sizes that it comes in.
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