Welcome to Hank’s Place –
The other day I went to church, hopeful of hearing good words. Good words? Yes, you know, something about Jesus. Or righteousness. Or new creations. Or freedom, hope, acceptance, abiding, justification — words pertaining to the Good News of Jesus, and what He has done for us.
I heard a message about the importance of relationships. Did I have good ones? How do I measure them?
I heard I had better parent with purpose! What’s that?
That I must commit to a growing faith. Hmmm? How do I do that?
That I must commit to a community in order to grow. What is an acceptable community? Who is evaluating my performance? My head was buzzing.
And commit to prayer, and tithing, and bible reading. I was told that is how to grow in faith. And that I must put my faith in practice and grow in it for this ‘journey of faith.’ And I must join a discipleship class in order to put muscles on my faith or I won’t have a faith that ‘sticks.’
OUCH! I felt so — inadequate. So many check boxes — and they were all about me and my performance! I am confident the pastor was well intentioned, but he didn’t know much about the grace (stuff God has done for us or wants to give us) that is found in the New Covenant in Christ’s blood.
We were saved by the grace of God. And we are KEPT by His grace as well. Jesus kept all the ‘to-do’s’ then gave us His righteousness. By His death and resurrection we have died to sin and come alive to God. We are free in Jesus. In Christianity rules for godly living have been replaced by something far better: walking in the Spirit.
Now there is something that pleases God. FAITH pleases God. Abraham, the Believer pleased God. Hank the Believer pleases God. YOU dear believing friend please God! And how does our faith come? Faith comes by hearing of the word concerning Christ. Romans 10:17. Faith COMES to us from HEARING the good news of Jesus Christ and what He has done.
Today, may you hear a good word concerning Jesus – you know what? Your faith will increase. You’ll be listening for and experiencing the Holy Spirit. Then like the early disciples you’ll soon be turning this world upside down, and many shall — COME ALIVE!
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