Random Ramblings #41: A Strong Foundation of Grace

Every Friday we’ll take a break from topical posts and will post some random personal thoughts. 

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A Cuppa Joe – Random Ramblings from a Fellow Struggler

A Strong Foundation of Grace

“There is now therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” -Philippians 1: 2

No condemnation, performance (or lack thereof) notwithstanding. God’s grace – His unmerited favor – will endure because It Is Finished doesn’t mean It’s A Good Start But Add To It. Sin has not been excused, of course. It’s been punished but, thank God, someone else took the fall, so God never compromised His justice in the interest of showing His mercy. Grace will thus rightfully and plentifully endure. The question becomes, will my awareness of it also endure? Availability isn’t the issue, since it’s accessible, free and unending. I’ll decide whether or not to realize this, and thus either enhance my peace of mind or rob myself of it. It’s my call.

I spend a lot of time exhorting because the men I work with ask for it (sort of.). They want to grow, repent, renounce and walk in freedom, saying no once and for all to porn or other forms of sexual sin. So the predictable shoulds and shouldn’ts come up, along with encouragement to take responsibility, mortify the flesh and move on. This is right, and our required yielding in the sanctification process is nothing to sneer at.

Still, if all of our zeal and effort isn’t undergirded by strong foundations in grace, we’re truly doomed. Doomed to depression, discouragement, despair, three Big D’s I fear even more than a deliberate transgression. Transgression can be repented of; depression, discouragement and despair are broad chasms one easily drowns in. So while I still say we could all do with a bit more of the old “Buck Up” mentality, I know there’s a larger need to remember, regularly and carefully, that we strive for holiness not for the sake of avoiding hell, or earning God’s love, or appeasing a tyrannical taskmaster. We strive not to be forgiven, but because we are forgiven. And in response to that amazing grace, as Jesus said, we who’ve been forgiven much, love much.

I’m concerned, like lots of believers, about the lack of sound doctrine promoted in the Church today. I’m even more concerned about careless attitudes among Christians towards sin, as though calling it by its name is an embarrassment reserved only for us Holy Oldies. But I know the most ardent passion for purity cannot survive unless imbued with deep, concrete convictions about grace, convictions that comfort and compel us at the same time. I’m so relieved when I recall His grace, and so pumped and intolerant of personal sin at the same time. How could I not love such a lover, and how could I not therefore show my love through simple and uncompromised obedience?

So grace to all of us this weekend. And peace, of course, which logically follows. Thanks for being here.

Love,

Joe