Transforming Grace

At our home we do a "movie night" monthly. First or second Saturday night, usually, depending on schedules. We learned from John Eldredge that kings of culture receive messages from God; prophets are required to interpret them. The kings of our culture are movie producers and directors. So we watch a movie, then discuss the real message behind it. Not just a film critique, we look at the grand themes like what does it tell us about God, about man, about woman, about an evil antagonist, etc. Very helpful, revealing!

Last Saturday we watched Les Miserables, the most recent version of Victor Hugo's novel with Liam Neeson playing Jean Valjean. If you have not seen this film, you absolutely MUST! There is SO MUCH in it of the power of Love and Grace, the destruction of unbridled law.

But what struck me occurred at the very beginning. Indeed, it was really on this that resulted in the events of the entire film and story. Valjean came to the Bishop's house looking for bread and something to steal. But he said:
"Give me a bed for the night and
IN THE MORNING I WILL BE A NEW MAN."

In the morning he stole the silver thinking that would give him the resources to become a new man. He was wrong. The Bishop, when queried, gave him forgiveness and even more silver, thus saving his life. Actually giving him new life. As a result, Valjean BECAME A NEW MAN!

While it is absolutely an example of a work of grace, our theology stops at that and makes that the theme. But let me take it one step further.

IT IS A WORK OF CHOOSING.

Grace was the means that worked out the transformation. Valjean's choice within himself, even though he had the completely wrong idea about how to do it and what it would look like, was the KEY that opened the door! How many other beggars had come by that same door asking for bread without expecting or thinking or believing that they could ever become a new man?

So, you see, though this is a fictional story, it makes the point:

It is our choosing that begins the change.

What will you choose to change today?
Your depression?
Your poverty?
Your selfishness?
Your thinking negatively about yourself?
Your ..............

Make the choice to change.

The grace will follow.

Talk to you soon.

Blessings,

Dr Jon