been on a writing spree. i hope this is not insanity but rather everything letting loose!!! haha i'm actually okay.
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What’s probably been most emotional in me is seeing how destructive the Armenian/synergists worldviews have been. The belief that God & man work together for salvation and for the glory of Him. And though some may quickly deny that…it’s been increasingly evident and I believe carrying into our churches, our small groups, our minds… What has become of Christianity in America? That our first and foremost objective is no longer to love Him but rather to do more. I say this for myself…because I spent so much of my life trying to use what was intended for good for my own glory. The idea of planting a seed, being intentional in our relationships with people, loving people…all meant to be for good. But how often do we get so caught up in our efforts that we forget our first and foremost love should be for Him. Only then, can there be an outflow of love to people. Because indeed the only way we might ever know how to love man is through our love for Him.
Church leaders…I beg you to teach more the attributes of God…help us gain a better understanding of who God is rather than giving us advice on how to live a better life. How can small group leaders ever teach if they themselves don’t even understand much of who God is?
How often I myself forget salvation comes through Christ alone. And us...me…thinking that He would even need my abilities/talents. How I’ve spent so much of my life engulfed in entrepreneurship hoping to please Him with the monetary contributions I can give to the church when it was never about what we can do. Because how much more He is glorified when we are most satisfied in Him.
Brothers & Sisters, I’m convinced that apart from Him…we are nothing and we can do NOTHING. I’m convinced that the only way we’ll ever be satisfied in Him is if we’re willing to surrender everything! To never let pride get in the way of how God may use us. Because how UGLY!!! pride is… I’m convinced that the gospel is sufficient for all we’ll ever need – not philosophy, not self-help books, not man’s ideologies.
Second, my heart is heavy…because of all that I see from decisionism. How an idea that salvation comes purely from a decision and from a prayer. How we dare CHEAPEN grace…thinking that grace was given on the basis of what we do or the condition of our hearts.
And how of the 70% of those who say they’re Christians…how many will never even think about examining themselves, testing themselves… that they would not even think about John 15, Romans 8 & 9, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Matthew 7:16…an old creation being made new, knowing them by their fruits. And though we know works will NEVER earn salvation, I believe it is a beautiful indication of regeneration.
My heart breaks because of Matthew 7:15
Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on (T)that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; (U)DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
Seeing many still living in carnality, complacency, no desires whatsoever for God…thinking they’re saved. And though we may never be completely certain, we have reason to believe and to have concern if an old creation was never made new. If there never was a true desire for Him.
From just these two things, I ask…do we realize how amazing grace really means? That if not for grace, we would still be under His wrath. God’s love was NEVER an obligation to man. But in his amazing love, He would send His son as a substitute to atone for our filth – everything that’s NOT holy. That to satisfy his JUST attributes, He MUST send a Son to atone for our sins.
How many times I’ve wept over and over and over hearing the gospel again... How can God ever love us the way He does?
To all of you, Brothers & sisters, surrender yourselves to Him….let go of your PRIDE…the unsurpassing joy of knowing Christ and being satisfied in Him. How much I don’t understand…how little I know…but cling onto faith, have hope, persevere & rejoice in your tribulations, have the audacity to carry each others’ burdens, put your trust in Him who in His Sovereign grace paid a debt that would mean everything.
wow. it's amazing that your entry talks about exactly what is going on in my heart. in regards to my pride, with losing sight of our relationship with God because of prioritizing things above Him... I am happy that God has revealed another person w/ the same concerns.
Posted by: Steven | 04/20/2010 at 05:10 PM
[this is good] Excuse for that I interfere ? To me this situation is familiar. I invite to discussion.
Posted by: Dennis Cranford | 06/15/2010 at 08:21 PM