Is it God's grace that eases your sins or is your own flawed method of justification, which just heaps on more guilt and less freedom?
Is it peace that penetrates all understanding or is it the suffocating feeling that scares you half to death?
In the world we live in it has become all to common to justify our actions to claim an identity in being a sinner instead of the saint of which you are in Christ.
The world begs us to believe we have justification in not living a holy life. It begs us to believe that times are different now and that living up to the bibles standards isn't necessary nor possible. This sadly is a common thought process prevalent even in the Christian community.
Its not true though and if we really study the bible we will come to an understanding about this exact matter. Does Ephesus ring any bells? You see, Ephesus was comparable to Los Angeles or Chicago and the people of the bible faced the same temptations you and I face today. "The example of Ephesus is that Christianity can flourish in a difficult and pagan culture, and that Christians can maintain their identity in Christ in such cultures for generations by the grace of God (Driscoll, 23)
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
No doubt we are in a time of need, we always will be but, the beautiful part of that is we have a Father willing to help.
Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
We are in Christ. We have a purpose.
Exodus 9: 16 But for this very purpose have I let you live, that I might show you My power, and that My name may be declared throughout all the earth.
We reap what we sow and we can reap the beautiful blessings that overflow from an obedient life in Christ or sow unnecessary pain and heartache from missing the mark and jumping on the bandwagon of justification.
Are you struggling with an identity crisis or just looking for a great book to read let me recommend : Who Do You Think You Are? By Mark Driscoll. His book is an expansion of these thoughts and the motivation for this blog.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
justify justify justify
Is it God's grace that eases your sins or is your own flawed method of justification, which just heaps on more guilt and less freedom?
Is it peace that penetrates all understanding or is it the suffocating feeling that scares you half to death?
In the world we live in it has become all to common to justify our actions to claim an identity in being a sinner instead of the saint of which you are in Christ.
The world begs us to believe we have justification in not living a holy life. It begs us to believe that times are different now and that living up to the bibles standards isn't necessary nor possible. This sadly is a common thought process prevalent even in the Christian community.
Its not true though and if we really study the bible we will come to an understanding about this exact matter. Does Ephesus ring any bells? You see, Ephesus was comparable to Los Angeles or Chicago and the people of the bible faced the same temptations you and I face today. "The example of Ephesus is that Christianity can flourish in a difficult and pagan culture, and that Christians can maintain their identity in Christ in such cultures for generations by the grace of God (Driscoll, 23)
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
No doubt we are in a time of need, we always will be but, the beautiful part of that is we have a Father willing to help.
Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
We are in Christ. We have a purpose.
Exodus 9: 16 But for this very purpose have I let you live, that I might show you My power, and that My name may be declared throughout all the earth.
We reap what we sow and we can reap the beautiful blessings that overflow from an obedient life in Christ or sow unnecessary pain and heartache from missing the mark and jumping on the bandwagon of justification.
Are you struggling with an identity crisis or just looking for a great book to read let me recommend : Who Do You Think You Are? By Mark Driscoll. His book is an expansion of these thoughts and the motivation for this blog.
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Hi, Shai. Nicely done.
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