Yeah, but is that Biblical

It's very popular these days to be nice. I've heard a lot of Christians in the last several years say things like, "live and let live," "everybody has a sin, this is just mine," "don't be so judgmental," "this is just what God's grace is going to have to cover for me."

Does this not make anyone else nervous? To hear the church saying this about herself?

It's like our greatest concern is getting away with as much as we can get away with. Thats not at all what I see in scripture.

Do I see Christians being perfect and lording over non Christians? Nope. Do I see Christians faking life in front of church members? Nope. Do I see people acting like they have it all together? Nope. Do I see people beating each other over the head with legalism? nope.

But I also dont see Christians being taught that keeping sin in their back pocket is ok as long as no one knows. I don't see pastors being told to smile and wave off sin in their congregations. I dont see people being directed to find friends who struggle with the same stuff so they can accept it in each other.

I see people, bathed in grace, whose hearts are being transformed in relationship with a loving God, who long less and less for the temporary pleasures of sin and more and more for the deep joy found in being obedient to the God who lavished that grace upon them. I see a call to rebuke and correct one another, not so we will be perfect, but so we can live free. I see apostles weeping for friends deceived by the lure of sin. I see a call to use sound judgement with brothers and sisters so that we might live good lives focused on serving God. All with patience, all with kindness.

Comments

Lori Dalton said…
I'm so glad you posted this. I'm seeing less and less Christians of today that preach a life change along WITH grace. Thanks for sharing this
8:41 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

listless

I'm not sure what is going on in my head, but i'm very uninspired lately. i feel like there is so much more I should be doing, but its like i'm watching life from through a window. like i have no real impact on the story, i just sit and watch it unfold and hope the story starts getting adventurous. I'm chosing to call it uninspired because that still leaves the door open for me to have some kind of impact. Like if i could just muster up some passion for something I would be able to find some great purpose and meaning in what I'm doing. I'm thinking about all the kids going back to school and the college students heading off for a new year, and I'm finding that I'm jealous. My life doesnt cycle like that anymore. There is no rise and fall with the seasons. There is no connection to the calendar. Everyday bleeds by in the same numbing pattern. My clothes barely even change with seasons anymore. everyday finds itself looking exactly like the last: wake up l...
Read more

whats your self worth?

People have said, something is only worth what someone would pay for it. If what you're selling, no one is buying, then what you have is pretty worthless. But there are stores out there that sell all kinds of things and so the market makes room for them. People are the same. Some people are beautiful, but useless for more than their looks. Like a painting they are worth a lot because people see them as rare.But, some people can go their whole lives without decorating. Some people are useful and so are worth a lot because they fulfill some purpose. Hardworking, or smart, they are seen has having some value that makes them worth the investment. Then there are people I'd characterize as novelty people. You buy them because you've just never seen anything like them. They're especially entertaing or unique. They don't cost a lot, so you can't pass them up. Then there are bargain people. They don't cost much, arent worth much and don't last long. They fill a s...
Read more

Musical Unity: A response to Michael Gungor

When I first started listening to Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) the only people around were Amy Grant and Michael W Smith. Maybe Kathy Tricolli and Sandi Patty...Any maybe Carmen, but why mention Carmen? Shortly before I started listening to CCM there was no such thing as CCM. The 80s were just about a barren wasteland for Christian entertainment. We had a handle on good old Gospel and regular people started writing worship music. My life wouldn't be the same without Keith Green. But then came the 90s. WHAT an AMAZING time!! Right? DC talk, Audio Adrenaline, Newsboys, OC Supertones...Holy Music COW! If you were a young Christian, you could turn your radio up proudly and still feel cool. It was EPIC. From 15-21 I didn't listen to much other than CCM. Only the cool CCM of course. The stuff that the local Christian radio station only played on Friday Nights. Then I hit 21 and was, practically overnight, too cool for CCM. I bought a soapbox on top of which I declared ...
Read more