Grace v Justice

Grace has been described as generous, free and totally unexpected and undeserved. It’s shocking in a way to know that when we say sorry to God he forgives us unconditionally an forgets about our sin.

I’ve been reflecting recently on how grace fits within today’s laws and where justice comes into play.

Recently I met a young man who’d unfortunately made some serious mistakes and was facing jail.

As I began to talk to him I had an overwhelming sense from God that I should pray for him and plead with God to take away his jail sentence. As the conversation developed and I asked if I could pray for him, it sparked a huge conversation about having a faith in God. The conversation ended with the agreement that if the jail sentence was cancelled then it must have been God’s doing. My prayer is that I will see this young man next week and he can tell me that God has done a miracle in his life.

This is a very hard subject to talk about because I know people would argue with me and say ‘where’s the justice in that?’. In many ways I would agree with people like that and say that wrong actions have consequences and in this case a jail sentence is deserved.

However if I could choose between a young person going to jail or a young person experiencing God’s miraculous power in his life which changes him for ever, resulting in a new life which seeks to love God and others. I would choose God’s intervention every time.

One of the aims within my youth ministry is that I help young people experience God and if I think I can help this young man see God’s grace in his own life then I reckon I’m doing the right thing.

What do you think?

Simon Bentley is on his 2nd year placement with Nottingham YfC 

 

Verses for the year 2014

Each year we see to look where God is working and what He would like to do through the work of Nottingham Youth for Christ. This year we will be looking at what Luke 24:13-13 has to say for us at NYfC. 

There are many different ways you can look at this passage and the way Jesus walks and talks with the two men but for me it epitomizes the whole of Jesus' ministry as he journeys with His disciples and continues to journey with us in our every day life. 

We are called as an organization and as part of the wider church to journey with people and as we get alongside them we are able to speak into their lives. As an organisation it is also our role and responsibility to journey alongside other partners to help provide the best opportunities to experience the love of Christ.

As we unpack the idea of journeying over the next few weeks and months as we go through 2014 our heart and our prayer that you might journey with us and maybe together not only will Jesus reveal Himself to each of us but we will see Jesus revealing Himself to the young people we work with. Seeing young people's lives transformed and relationships restored through the revelation of Jesus.

Richard Dawson is Director of Nottingam YfC