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Posts from the ‘Grace’ Category

26
Apr

Its OK to Say the F-Word

In reflection on Dean’s apology for his use of the s-word in last week’s sermon I couldn’t pass up a little tongue in cheek post. Mike Foster tempted me and I couldn’t refuse with his post today. Enjoy.

People of the Second Chance

ITS OK TO SAY THE F-WORD
April 25th, 2010 8:07:23 pm

f-word-grace-people-of-the-second-chance Posted by Mike Foster: Follow Mike On Twitter

The F-word is a dirty word and people don’t like to hear it.

Just understand if you dare mention it, respectable people may not like you.

God help us if we ever say it in church or in staff meetings.

It’s critical that we shield our children from experiencing it.

The F-word is used in the gutter and foul places.

Sometimes it slips out after throwing back a few beers in raw conversations with our friends.

Now I’m not talking about the four letter F-word but the other word we shouldn’t say. The word is….FAILURE.

In our success addicted culture it’s just not cool to bring it up. We dare not say such things.

But I’m not willing to censor my language anymore. And you shouldn’t either.

Just plan on the F-word to pop out when I talk to you.

I’m really sorry if you’re bothered by this but I just can’t help myself.

I curse like a prodigal.

22
May

Jesus vs. Paul – Scandalous Grace

Today I’m going to take time to respond to DH’s comment on my last blog, “Does the “casting out” of the indignant sinners not go against the scandalous grace of God?” It’s a great question.

Often I think we confuse acceptance with grace.  While acceptance is involved in God’s grace it is not without condition.  God’s acceptance of us is tempered by our being washed in the blood of Christ.  In order to experience that washing God must see us as willing, repentant, submitted souls.  When we are covered in Christ’s blood we can come before God in the presence of His full glory because we are made sinless, but we must adopt a lifestyle that practices continual acts of repentance and forgiveness to continue to be seen as sinless in the presence of God.
Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 5:9 is related to those who have experienced that washing and so have experienced the acceptance of God through the grace of God, but have turned and knowingly rebelled against God through the sins, “sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people.” In a way Paul is writing to the new Pharisees, and the primary way to discipline someone who has experienced the Grace of God through Christ is to remove the privileges of being someone who has had that experience.  This break in fellowship is not forever, but only until the time comes that the person is led to repentance, see 2 Corinthians 2:5.  Actually the discipline that Paul instructs the church to employ is in reality a product of God’s Grace.  Otherwise, you might expect Paul to instruct that they be put to death, or expect God to just wipe them out; however, they are given time through the experience of loss to be brought to repentance.

If there were no consequences for our sin – especially sexual sin, greed, idol worship, abuse, drunkenness, and dishonest business – then what would cause us to desire to quit.  By losing the privilege of fellowship God’s ultimate desire is that this loss leads the someone who has experienced God’s redeeming grace to repentance.

Jesus had the same problem with the Pharisees and Jewish leaders.  They had failed to lead lives of repentance, and Jesus would have nothing to do with them.
So, there is no disconnect between Paul’s instruction and Jesus’ instruction and action.  In reality they are the same thing.
It’s the same teaching.
Now For those outside of Christ we should expect nothing else but “sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people.” They are outside of Christ so why would they be compelled to do anything else.  Paul clarifies that the rules are much different with these people. In order to show them Jesus we must befriend them, see 1 Corinthians 5:9-13.
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