Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Of Silly Arguments

I get so tired of Christians fighting among themselves. Whether from the right or left, evangelical or catholic, emergent or fundamental--it's just frustrating. Everyone thinks they have the ONLY correct slant on the Gospel, and it is their God-given mission to convince everyone to think exactly like them. Everyone can quote abundantly from Scripture to support their agendas, and everyone can point the finger and call an opposing group heretical or sinful. And we don't get anywhere. Is this what Jesus wanted from us? No, of course not. One of my favorite chunks of Scripture is in John 17, where Jesus prayed in the garden before He was arrested. The largest focus of His prayer was for unity among all believers. Jesus desired "complete unity" among all who would believe in Him. Certainly there are going to be things we all disagree on, but how much time do we waste on debating doctrine and arguing over interpretations that we could be spending actually doing what Jesus told us to do?

That's why i loved this article. You should really check it out. It's well worth the read. Plus, watch the video it links to. I love Jon Stewart, i think he's brilliant.

I could go on and on, but what's the point? Unity is good. Disunity is bad. Let's go for it.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Ministers of Grace

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."

1 Peter 4:10-11

I read this the other day and it really struck me. WE are ministers of God's grace. Grace is a gift that is given primarily through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice. But i think i'm continually learning that grace is something that keeps on giving. It is in its very nature and definition for grace to be a continual outpouring of love. Isn't it incredible that God continues to give out His grace, and to give it out through us!! Think about this: if you speak to someone about the love of Jesus Christ, then you are administering God's grace. If you are speaking, the Gospel, then you ARE speaking the very words of God! It is the word that he continues to speak to humanity, and will continue to speak until that day when every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD to the glory of God the Father! When we serve others, we are literally being Christ to them, showing His love, and administering His grace! When God works through us, there is power, and there is strength. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be administers of God's grace. This is not something we should take lightly. We have an incredible responsibility, but it's also exciting, isn't it? Even the fact that God uses us is incredible.

I'm heading to Nashville next week for a missions trip, so i'm excited to try and live this out there. Not that i need to go outside my own town in order to do that. For those of you reading, whether you're in ministry right now or not, know this: God is working through YOU! His grace is being poured out, THROUGH YOU! When you speak, speak as one speaking the very words of God. When you serve, know that you are a vessel of God's grace, and depend on the strength He has provided through the Holy Spirit within you. Grace can take a lot of various forms. How is God working through you?