by Pastor Jeff Summers

Jesus has committed Himself fully to your journey

                You’ve probably noticed:  guys talk different to each other than girls.  Guys will say the most hideous things to each other and laugh.  If you could only read the words to their conversations, you would wonder if they are even friends.  But when you watch their faces and reactions, they are almost offended if they are not included in the round of insults.  Ladies, however, live in another reality.  They decipher everything in a conversation, from the words used to the tonal inflections of the speaker’s voice.  If ladies talked to one another the way men do, none of them would be friends. 

                For men, this repartee is a form of bonding.  For women, they bond by sharing their true feelings and concerns for each other.  As one teacher put it, “Pink and blue speak different languages.” 

                When Monica and I were married, almost 25 years ago, I probably insulted my best man 15 times that day and he returned the favor.  However, neither he nor I remember any of that conversation.  After the ceremony and reception, Monica and I got in the car to leave and in typical guy fashion; I threw out a snide remark:  “You’re stuck with me now.”  I thought it was a great way to break the tension.  But it immediately was entered and analyzed by the female processing system of Monica’s brain.  Knowing what I know now, I would have never have said it.  But then, I spent 5 minutes digging the hole deeper.  Monica forgave me, but it was a lesson learned about bonding.  She’s been committed to me through a host of missteps I’ve made in our relationship.  I still from time to time insert my foot in my mouth.  But just as the disciples on the road to Emmaus are about to discover, I have discovered that a bond of true love is one of total commitment.

1.       The Via Dolorosa

2.       Jesus remains bonded to you, even when you take the wrong road

--There is no sin greater than God’s grace

        Romans 6:23

--The unpardonable sin is unbelief

        Matthew 12:31-32

3.       Jesus’ bond is patient and longsuffering, even when you are stubborn

--Jesus keeps forgiving even though you turn away again and again

        Matthew 18:22

--Jesus’ grace is costly, not cheap

        1 Corinthians 6:20

4.       Jesus’ bond results in your course being corrected

--Jesus will finish the work He has started in You

        Philippians 1:5-7

--You will be transformed into His image 

        2 Corinthians 3:18

5.       Tools for your Journey:

-Ask God to show you if you not allowing yourself to be forgiven

-Take time to ask God to show you if you see His grace as cheap or costly