And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
(Luke 19:5) The Lord's mercy can provoke repentance
Balancing grace and holiness is difficult, but necessary for Christians. Some ministries focus too much on legalism and holiness, while others focus too much on grace and ignore holiness. Jesus models the perfect balance between the two, as seen in his interactions with the adulterous woman and Zacchaeus. We should strive to show mercy and sympathy to those who sin, while also maintaining holiness as an important value in the Christian life. This approach will lead to more effective evangelism and healthier churches.
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