As part of our Church plant, we have started new community groups. I must say our
group is really coming together, really starting to care for one another, really
starting to experience what Bridges calls true community. I am so encouraged.
We are in the middle of a study called Gospel Centered Life, the study is one I have
done on several occasions, but each time I get a little more from it. Our group is
really opening up and really sharing and I think that is just wonderful, it is real
growth.
We just completed a discussion of Mission. In the study the author defines mission
as "anything that brings gospel-centered renewal/redemption to people, places and
cultures." Our discussion was wide ranging and we admitted that while some will be
called to missions in far away places, sometimes all our mission requires is for us to
walk across the street.
That lead to a heartfelt discussion on why we hold back. There were reasons,
concerns and they were varied; however, there was one thing everyone could relate
to: fear of rejection. We discussed the real need for building relationship, but the
bottom line was we need to trust Christ more.
It occurred to me that Christ didn’t fear rejection for us and as such we can remain
confident, we can trust, we can be assured that Christ will never reject us. So there
is no reason to fear the rejection of a neighbor, because Christ will never reject
us...He will always be there for us and we should share in that comfort, that love,
that acceptance, that good news.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for
the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Grace and Peace!
You know I am just more amazed by grace with each day. I know that sounds strange or impossible, but
it is true. With each day I just come to realize, understand and appreciate (and these words are not
strong enough) that I am only saved by grace, saved because Christ loved me.
I am reading another book on grace written by Jerry Bridges in 1994; “The Discipline of Grace.” In it
there is much insight into this thing called grace. There is great discussion on the human condition and our deep need for challenge, duty and obligation; our performance mindset. In the preface, Bridges notes that any “pursuit of
holiness must be motivated by the grace of God; else it can become oppressive and joyless.” That really
made me think about just what motivates us.
Obligation and duty just never succeed as a motivator for a lifetime, and really do become oppressive
and joyless but I think that it truly is human nature for us to feel this sense of duty and obligation. Is
there a way to break these oppressive and joyless chains? Jack Miller says we can by “preaching the
gospel to ourselves every day.” I love that and so desperately need that. I need to remind myself that I
was so loved by Christ; despite all my doubts, fears, failures; despite my worst and darkest actions;
despite my arrogance and pride; despite my ever apparent un-worthiness, that He would pay the
ultimate price, He would lovingly sacrifice all so that by the grace of God I might be rescued, restored,
and become a child of God for all eternity.
Again, I don’t have strong enough words, but can you see how my motivation might change? It might
change from duty and obligation to love; love for my rescuer and my savior. And that love might
become so overwhelming that it might be shared, that it might become my motivation! Bridges says
that “preaching the gospel to ourselves every day gives us hope, joy, and courage! Amen! (I know too
many exclamation points, but I got excited)
Again, Bridges points out that it was not duty or obligation that motivated the Apostle Paul, rather it was
“his constant heartfelt awareness of Christ’s love for him.” That was his motivation. So what would that
look like if it was truly our motivation? I think Galatians 5:6 tells us – it is our faith expressing itself
through love – love for the Father, love for the Son, love for the Holy Spirit and love for one another!
Father, please let the constant heartfelt awareness of Christ’s love become our motivation for a lifetime.
Father, as it is written in 2 Corinthians 5:14; Let Christ’s love compel us.
Grace and Peace!
John MacArthur defines the Reformation principle of sola Scriptura as having “to do
with the sufficiency of Scripture as our supreme authority in all spiritual matters.
Sola Scriptura simply means that all truth necessary for our salvation and spiritual
life is taught either explicitly or implicitly in Scripture.”
If we are to embrace sola Scriptura, then it would seem to me that it would be pretty
important to spend time reading Scripture, learning from Scripture, and growing as
a result. I sense in all honesty I should be spending more time reading and studying
my Bible. If we carry that a little further, we should all be able to see just how
important a dedicated study of the Bible, the very word of God should be.
I am reading a great book called “Taking God at His Word” by Kevin DeYoung. It is a
book that provides a little detail concerning the authority and the sufficiency of
Scripture. In it DeYoung states:
"The scriptures are our spectacles (to use Calvin's phrase), the lenses through which
we see God, the world, and ourselves rightly. We cannot truly know God, his will, or the
way of salvation apart from the Bible..."Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the word
of eternal life" (John 6:68). There is no other book like the Bible. It reveals a different
kind of wisdom, comes from a different source, and tells of a different love."
I love that image of using the Bible as our lens to view God and all he has created as
the path to truly know God. Acts 17:11 tells us:
“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica,
for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures
every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
Father, help us be of noble character and help us examine the Scriptures; your
precious Word every day.
Grace and Peace!
