God owes us NOTHING.
Get over it.
Only then can we begin to apprehend the wonders of His grace.
Category: Simple Faith
In the cool of the day, God walked side-by-side and fellowshipped face-to-face with Adam …
Amidst the beauty of Adam’s garden and the fruit of his labor.
It’s OK to be human …
That’s where God wants to meet us too.
“Radical,” “deeper life,” “insurgent,” “movement” this and “movement” that …
Are disingenuous distractions from Biblical imperatives to simply grow up and make a difference by living lives of simple truth, simple faith and simple virtue.
Don’t buy the lie, often being peddled by those promoting themselves and their own agendas …
Because it’s really not that complicated.
Why?
Because He’s God and I’m not.
Because His Word stands eternal while I am but an uncertain reed blowing in the wind.
Because it is by His will that history bends, not mine.
Because He is the sovereign creator of all, including me.
Because He defines what is true, real and right, not me.
And because He is Lord of all and bids me “go” into a world He yet loves.
Modern concepts of “worship” combined with weekly “sermons” by a “senior pastor” at scripted “services” – along with mortgages, buildings called “sanctuaries” with spectator seating, and Old Testament tithing – were not part of the church in the New Testament.
Surprised? Search Scripture for yourself.
But they do seem to go hand-in-hand these days …
Because, after all, professionally produced staged shows that dependably attract weekly paying audiences don’t come cheap or easy.
What if your church gave up the show for Lent?
Fixating on sin while ignoring grace …
Perverts the Gospel.
As does a fixation on grace which ignores sin.
Although we can have doctrine without fully knowing Jesus …
We can’t fully know Jesus without doctrine.
Jesus: He’s more than a feeling.
God’s utter holiness:
Sinners who are lost and know it …
Get it.
Smug “Christians” …
Seldom do.
Feeling like your life is dull?
Try shining in some dark places.
God in His wisdom justifies repentant sinners …
Not sin.
No nation knows liberty …
Without embracing virtue, prudence and diligence as Divine obligations.
May God’s people stand in the gap once again.
Jesus:
Creator of all,
Came in humility,
Lived as teacher,
Died as redeemer,
Rose as King,
Returns as judge,
Reigns eternal.
In life, we will encounter situations we cannot fix or understand …
But God’s grace is sufficient, and they need not define or overcome us.
It does no good to flee the legalistic bear …
Only to be devoured by the existential lion.
It is shameful how some Christian leaders cozy up to power …
Rather than speak truth to power.
I have learned to be weary of those peddling “radical” Christianity with enticing terms like “deeper life,” “eternal purpose,” “insurgence” and the like.
They seldom seem to make their quackery work in their own lives or home towns.
Such enticements, nonetheless, quickly become distractions from a simple faith of simple virtue …
In simple fellowship with God and each other before a waiting world.
It’s really not so complicated.
Unfortunately, though, quackery and “radical” sells.
Our fallible interpretations never negate God’s infallible written Word.
Only fools say otherwise.
Be brave:
Examine your presumptions and traditions through the lens of Scripture as God’s authoritative written Word …
Rather than Scripture through the lens of your presumptions and traditions.
Embracing the Kingdom of God …
Requires nothing less.
Jesus wants to heal addictive personalities …
Not become their newest obsession.
God’s grace is amazing and unmerited.
But if it doesn’t lead to repentance and understanding …
You’re still a sinner and a fool.
There is no solution to sin …
Apart from righteous judgment or humble repentance.
Nor is there any middle way.
Yet by grace God lets us choose between the two.
One leads to death.
The other life.
Those who reject the justice of God’s wrath …
Will never grasp the mercy of His grace.
If you wait until you finally figure out what God’s up to …
He’s likely already moved on.
Fully confess, squarely ask God to forgive you, then humbly give Him the related guilt, condemnation and regrets your heart’s been carrying.
Do this …
And there’s no room to “forgive yourself.”
It’s settled, done, finished.
Plumbline Faith 