Do you remember the last time you stepped out of oppressive heat and humidity into the cool environment of an air conditioned home? The refreshing change is tangible!
That’s a picture of what it’s like to experience God’s grace. Benjamin Jowett said grace “…is the energy of the divine affection rolling in plenteousness toward the shores of human need.”
I believe many may have lost sight of the awesome majesty of God’s grace. Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light”. It’s good to revisit the majesty of God’s grace.
Grace is God’s amazing interference into our lives. R. W. Barbour said, “He who has not felt what sin is in the Old Testament knows little what grace is in the New. He who has not trembled in Moses, and wept in David, and wondered in Isaiah will rejoice little in Matthew or rest little in John. He who has not suffered under the Law will scarcely hear the glad sound of the gospel.”
The woman who stooped beside Jesus to bathe his feet with tears and dry them with her hair understood this. Jesus said “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little” Luke 7:47.
This woman loved much, because she had been forgiven much! Jesus…not religion…gave hope to this desperate woman. Under the law, she was condemned. Living under the law, this woman was without hope.
Her sad and tawdry past shackled her from the possibility of a fresh start. She would forever bear the scarlet letter deeply inscribed within her heart and publicly proclaimed among society.
John 1:17 says, “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Thank God, grace and truth came through Jesus! Through Jesus’ supreme sacrifice, this woman could vicariously be forgiven. Grace coming through Jesus set her free. That same grace is available to you!
John 1:16 says “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.” Did you note that Jesus offers the fullness of His grace and that he keeps offering grace and more grace! Grace is God’s gift that keeps on giving.
Grace makes what was impossible, possible! We could never save ourselves. To save yourself makes you a savior. That is impossible because Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Every human need has already been met through the abundance of God’s grace. That grace cost the Heavenly Father a dear price: His only begotten Son. It is not cheap grace; rather it is amazing grace!
It delights God to see the helpless say, “Lord, I receive of Thy goodness!” God’s grace will cause you to prevail in this life. Romans 5:17 says, “…those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ”.
When Moses gave Israel the law on Sinai, 3000 people died. Eventually a whole generation died in the wilderness. They found that living under the weighty law was impossible because to break one letter of the law was to be guilty of breaking the whole law (James 2:10).
Prior to receiving the law, Israel walked in grace under the blood of the Passover lamb sacrificed in Egypt. Psalms 105:37 says, “He also brought them out with silver and gold, And there was none feeble among His tribes.” That’s a picture of walking in grace!
First Corinthians 5:7 says, “For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” Let’s start living in the fullness of God’s grace!
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Fresh out of Bible school and with a heavenly mandate, Jim and Pam moved to Erie, PA, in June 1981. Having never visited the city, their sojourn began by living ten weeks in a tent on Walnut Creek with their four-year-old son. God had said, "Move to Erie, become established and build a great church." No obstacle was impossible to overcome!
Making Erie their permanent home, they helped establish three churches in Northwest, PA, and faithfully pastored Erie Christian Fellowship for 30 years. Their vision, which continues under the capable leadership of Jason and Liz Ackerman, is to honor the Lord Jesus Christ and build strong believers rooted in the Word and guided by the Spirit.
Jim and Pam continue to minister as District Directors of Rhema Ministerial Alumni Association. In September 2018, Jim experienced a miraculous recovery from a "widowmaker" heart attack and a 6-day coma. After prayer, Jim was miraculously restored to the joy of his family and the astonishment of a caring medical team. Jim is currently writing "Let's Pray," a book that chronicles God's guidance and answers to prayer in their life.
Jim and Pam have one son, Dr. Justin Dumont (married to Dr. Anna Dumont), and four incredible grandchildren; Jazna, Coleben, Symeon, and Kendru.