God’s grace leads to faith …
Through repentance.
Author: Plumbline Faith
Simple Truths from a Lifetime of Service to the King of Kings
Many burnout by repeatedly ministering to folks who want our time, energy and resources …
Without fundamentally dealing with their own underlying issues through honest repentance.
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“Christian” existentialists live lives of angst and doubt, seeking a Jesus of their own perception and definition.
They would do much better submitting to Christ as He perceives and defines them instead …
Because it’s only there that life and liberty are found.
Do circumstances define your reality …
Or does God’s reality define your circumstances?
It’s always your choice.
So-called “progressive Christians” insist on a Jesus of their own creation, defined by their own perceptions, sensibilities and ideologies …
Leading to doubt and malaise.
The authentic Jesus, however, defines Himself – along with His creation, absolute truths, redeeming grace and moral precepts – through His plenary authority of Scripture …
Leading to life and liberty.
The Law given as part of the Old Covenant is no longer in force (including the Decalogue), since the Old Covenant no longer is in force.
However, the moral precepts which undergird the laws of the Old Covenant are still relevant.
That’s because God’s overarching command to “be holy for I am holy” …
Is re-stated multiple times in both the Old and New Testament and still applies.
God’s nature does not change, and neither have His moral precepts …
Which are part of God’s own, immutable self-revelation throughout Scripture.
So be holy …
But not Old Covenant.
I have no problem with the doctrine of “total depravity.”
Apart from God’s grace, I see no evidence to the contrary …
Plus Scripture is clear that apart from His grace, we have no hope.
However, I likewise have no problem with the doctrine that we can resist His grace.
Not because we have any power to frustrate God’s sovereign will …
But because He sovereignly wills to grant us that choice.
Why do some only speak up about fraud and abuse in the church …
When it’s to urge silence by the victims and those standing with them?
They are not peacemakers, but enablers.
They are not courageous, but cowards.
They are not principled, but complicit.
When Scripture talks about loving God, it doesn’t use “eros.”
Just sayin’ …
What we call “church” these days is so far removed from the New Testament …
That we dare not let those who see that truth …
Also speak that truth …
Without “correcting” it with a “but,” “and” or “or” …
Rooted in presumptions, anxieties and rationalizations from our own man-made traditions.
Most mornings I wake up grateful.
Before the day starts, I like to sit and quietly watch the sun rise while prayerfully contemplating the many blessings God has restored in my life.
Continue readingDeconstruction?
I’m all for examining our assumptions, traditions and doctrines in light of Scripture.
But “Christians” who reject God’s plenary authority, as expressed through His written Word …
Become their own standard for what’s ultimately true, real and right.
Is it any wonder, then, why they never seem to “get” Scripture?
Making everything about my thing, even when it’s a God thing …
Denies His Lordship over all things.
It seems “grace” has become an excuse these days …
For not growing up.
If insanity is doing the same things over and over, and expecting different results …
How can anyone defend “church” as we’ve come to know it?
Often, it’s primarily about a carefully produced weekly “service” designed to advance the “institution’s” own interests by feeding the need for affirmation through a contrived “sermon” that mimics secular motivational speakers …
And staged “worship” that mimics worldly entertainment.
The result has been self absorbed “Christians” who think Jesus is all about reinforcng their own insecurities and comfort zones.
In the meantime, the “church” distorts the “Gospel” to grow its attendance – and its finances – by inviting people to make a hollow “decision” for Jesus …
Without repentance or transformation.
Jesus, however, commands us to go and make disciples of all nations by teaching them to obey all He has commanded …
Not appease the masses by catering to a culture which craves carnal affirmation and emotional intensity – then calling it “God.”
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” Isaiah 55:8
Let us return to the Lord, and His ways, once again.
”Christians” who interpret Christ and judge His Word by their own notions of love …
Rather than conform their notions of love to Christ and His Word …
Worship love, not Christ.
Many claim to have a “high view” and believe in the “authority” of Scripture, but be careful.
Often, they are playing verbal games rooted in the existential philosophy of “theologians” like Karl Barth.
He taught that Scripture is “authoritative” only as a helpful – but flawed – jumping point to personal experiences and “revelation” which, he claimed, are God’s actual “Word” and more authentic than Scripture itself.
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God’s norms apply to all cultures …
But often are uniquely expressed in each.
While holding to those norms, I’ve learned to not interpret another’s situation and culture through the lens of my own situation and culture.
Doing so thwarts mutual esteem and understanding.
That’s true even when done with the best of intentions.
In contrast, the Great Commission requires us to go beyond our own reality and enter into very different realities …
Where people are very different than us.
They may be across the globe, or just down the street.
Few do it.
Nonetheless, Jesus bids us “go” with a fierce love that takes us outside our own limited perspectives.
Only then can we truly embrace “others” as brothers in Him.
When integrity is displaced by loyalty to a leader …
When folks sit silent amidst disclosures of wrong …
When comforting assurances are offered and accepted in lieu of open, true repentance …
It’s not a church …
But a cult.
In pagan Rome, politics was a circus, the mob cheered the lion, shedding innocent blood was a public spectacle, and the emperor was a ringmaster of vice.
Meanwhile, in today’s news …
Authentic love brings truth …
And truth is never neutral.
