Times For Tools, And Tools For Times

As we progress through the school year, my grading becomes more and more stringent. 

I begin the year with boundaries buffeted by grace, but as we near the close of the school year, I expect my students to have grown, improved, and matured. If I continue at the end of the year by giving grace the same way I did at the beginning of the year, most of my students would continue in certain lazy habits and wanton neglect. To be a good teacher, one must know when to give a student grace to learn from their mistakes, and when to allow the discomfort of unmitigated accountability. 

To teach a child accountability, there must be a certain balance between grace and reproof. Too much reproof, and the child is discouraged from even trying. Too much grace, and the child never learns to self-motivate. It is a very delicate balance, indeed. A teacher must understand that you do not use a hammer to squeeze a ripened grape. Nor do you use a scalpel to break through rock. There are times for tools, and tools for times. 

We see these same concepts in God’s dealings with mankind. He is building us into something, He is raising us unto maturity. He is not all grace all the time, nor is He all wrath and judgment all the time. True, these characteristics are all-the-time present within Him, but He uses each according to His omniscient purpose, in a perfect, delicate balance of grace and reproof. 

Because there are times for tools, and tools for times. 

(John 1:14,16,17) The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth…Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

(Rom 11:20-22) They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will certainly not spare you either. Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

(Hab 3:2) O LORD, I have heard the report of You; I stand in awe, O LORD, of Your deeds. Revive them in these years; make them known in these years. In Your wrath, remember mercy!

(Luke 13:5-9) …”unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Then he told this parable:…”..’for the past three years I have come to search for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Therefore cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine. But if not, you can cut it down.’ ”