Hard Things

Based on the date of this post you can probably tell that the topic has been on my mind based on the earthquake in Haiti, but I’m not going to address that specifically, so apply this as you see fit.

1 John 4:18, There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love, when read by even the most legalistic believer, would seem to imply that when we understand God’s love for us we no longer fear punishment, and really have no reason to be captive to fear period. It seems to say that the more we are “made perfect in love” which I take to mean the more we understand the depth of God’s love for us and what He’s done on our behalf as a result, the more we are able to let go and trust God because we no longer fear that if we make a mistake He’s going to bring the hammer down. We are able to then relax in His presence, come as we are, be ourselves without pretense, etc. However we read that verse and it sounds very comforting, but if you’re anything like me what immediately springs to mind is, well if this is true why did that thing happen…? And sometimes, even though part of us believes that God does love us and does work everything to good on our behalf, we slip into trying to obey out of legalistic reasons, just in case.

Happiness

“Oh happiness, there’s grace enough for us and the whole human race…”
– David Crowder Band

If I had to name one thing that’s changed the most about me (my days, my life, my mindset…) since coming to understand the freedom of grace, I’d have to say happiness.

It’s not a very spiritual answer unless you consider that Asher, a son of Jacob and father of one of the twelve tribes, actually means happy.

(And, as a side note, check out the blessings spoken over Asher, first the man by Jacob, and then the tribe by Moses.

Gen. 49:20 “Asher’s food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a king.”

Deut. 33:24-25 About Asher he said: “Most blessed of sons is Asher; let him be favored by his brothers, and let him bathe his feet in oil. The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days.”

Not bad, right? Who doesn’t want some of that?)

Irreligious Musings from the "Cabin"

I just started reading Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Whether it was God or me, I’m not sure, but for some reason it’s been in my head to read it for a few months now and that idea stuck. On a side-note, sometimes I notice that’s how God speaks to me. A thought occurs to me, origin unknown, and unrelated to whatever I had been thinking about at the time, and no matter how many times I get distracted from it, or in cases where it’s an unwelcome thought, try to push it away, it never leaves. It just hangs there patiently and expectantly until one day I put it together and realize its been God all along, but that’s a post for another time.

I’m only about halfway through the book, which I’m reading online via Project Gutenberg, but I am completely absorbed in the storyline. I’ve been struck by several passages along the way, and one in particular captured my attention.

To emphasis it’s impact I’ll give a bit of context. Uncle Tom, the devout, loyal, and humble slave has been sold (apart from his wife and three children) to a family in New Orleans. The “master” of the family is a good-natured and kind man by the name of Augustine St. Clare who has the misfortune of being married to a selfish and callous woman named Marie. Marie attends church (when not suffering from her frequent “illnesses”) because it is the proper thing to do in society and she fancies herself quite pious. Sr. Clare does not. This particular day she has just arrived home and is apprising him of the particulars of a most agreeable sermon in which the preacher has explained away all the evils of slavery by pronouncing the “distinctions in society” as a reflection of God’s ordering of the universe.

Seesaws and Solid Ground

I once heard a pastor explain that as Christians we exist on seesaw of sorts where we must always balance our identity as a saint with our identity as a sinner. To identify ourselves as either would constitute an “unbalanced” approach to the Christian life. With much respect, and the full knowledge that the man who said this has a true heart for God, I must say, “false.”

To describe my position as presumptuous would seem an understatement considering I never went to seminary, can by no means call myself a scholar (of any sort, much less a Bible scholar), and really other than spending several hours, days, months, searching Biblegateway.com wouldn’t be able to argue my case against his as effectively as he could his against mine.

So why am I so convinced? Because a revelation of grace swept over me a few years ago that forever changed how I see myself and relate to God.

I am not a sinner. I am 100% through and through a saint. And, I can say that without a shred of pride because the same is true for every Christian that believes that Jesus died on the cross for their sins and has been reconciled to right relationship with God though His sacrifice, whether they believe it or not. And, no I am in no way saying I behave perfectly or that I don’t sin. Either would be blasphemy that would illegitimize my entire case.