Watershed

Watershed
Words of Faith 4-12-2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2023
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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1 Timothy 1
[2b] "Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord..."

A few years back, I entered into a lengthy online dialogue with several people in Israel, including Orthodox Jewish teachers and Rabbis. I made friends with a dear Jewish professor in Jerusalem named Gustavo, and we corresponded over the years in an effort to understand one another. One question I asked: "Does Judaism have anything like the Christian concept of 'grace'?"
Gustavo gave an interesting answer... "No. There is no concept in Judaism like the Christian concept of grace. Judaism does have a concept-- a quality of God called Mercy. But there is no "unmerited favor" of God as Christians conceive of it. We live by merit."
In discussion with another Rabbi, I was told that in traditional Jewish teachings, the various historic persons found in the Hebrew Scriptures were honored or blessed by God because they were found "meritorious." When I suggested how wonderful it was that the Patriarchs and Matriarchs were so "human" and even flawed-- for example, that Abraham showed cowardice, and Rebekah had schemed with Jacob, and King David was a sinner and that all were in need of God's "grace"-- I found myself in a firestorm of an argument. I had unintentionally insulted the Jewish Patriarchs!
I was told in no uncertain terms that when these heroes appeared to be sinful or selfish, it was, in fact, a meritorious act! Elaborate rabbinical arguments and discussions were supplied to justify actions we would call sin. Hmmm. Life is difficult when you have no concept of grace.
The Apostle Paul knew this better than anyone. He knew the world of faith in God without grace. He also knew the world of faith in God with grace. No Comparison. Grace wins, hands down.
So this greeting of Paul to Timothy is more than just a casual pen stroke. It is foundational. It is pivotal. It is a watershed.
I decided to look that one up. A watershed is defined as the ridge or crest dividing two regions that drain in different directions. Figuratively, a watershed is a point of division or transition between two phases or conditions. Grace is the dividing point. Grace divides everything that was from everything that will be. The water rushes in a different direction after the point of grace.
Paul blessed Timothy with Grace-- God's unmerited favor, without which we have no salvation. Out of that grace springs mercy, the compassionate heart of God that guides us in daily living. And grace and mercy result in peace, which only God can give to guard our hearts and minds. What a wonderful blessing! What a magnificent dividing point.
You can claim these same blessings today. Are you tired of living under "merit," attempting to justify yourself by good works? You can rejoice that God has reached out with grace through the ages. You can receive the free gift of grace offered by God in Jesus Christ. You do not have to live according to the ways of a merciless world. You can receive from God His mercy, His heart for the world. You need not live with turmoil because He offers you a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Lord, I receive Your grace, the favor I cannot earn or deserve. I receive Your mercy, Your heart for a hurting world. I receive Your peace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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