The way of Law or Grace

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood…

begins Robert Frost’s famous poem, a favorite of mine: two roads, a choice to make.

…Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

And so ends the poem and I want to believe that I have taken the more difficult of the two: the path of grace rather than the law. I’ve come to realize by experience that one can have the Spirit of God (grace) or legalism (the Law) but never both. As one can only be on one path at a time you can never be living by grace and the law.

The path of law is smooth, broad and well traveled. The path of grace is narrow and there are some places that are not comfortable to the step.

It is harder to forgive, than it is to judge. Judgments are the stones that pave the path of the law, giving a sure foundation to all heavy loads. The path of forgiveness is a tangled way not clearly marked, but the flowers along this path are fragrant to the smell.

The pathway of grace is illuminated by the soft light of love. The love offered to the hurting, broken and lowly of this earth, a light that comes from giving love to those who never repay but with the demand of more. Easier to travel is the neon lined route of the law. Harsh neon that falsely makes the dark appear to be day. Powered by hate the light burns away the soft layers of natural light.

All is not bleak on the trail of grace for those along the way are known for their inclusion and help offered to all the weary travelers met along the way. A merry rag-tagged band of brothers are we. The way of law is a interstate, of fast moving sedans with only seats for a chosen few. Diesel fuming buses filled with those who think alike, sitting up straight, looking at the countryside through dark tinted windows.

Road-weary pilgrims along the path of grace know that it is harder to engage, than it is to ignore, harder to share, than it is to hold, harder to accept, than it is to reject, harder to welcome, than it is to walk away. Many started out on the Highway of Law but it just didn’t seem right and we have returned retracing our steps humbled. But we are refreshed by streams of living water bubbling up along this path. Tall trees shade our way and a cool breeze of the Spirit’s wind is at our back.

It is harder to live in grace, than it is to live in the law.

…Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.