Antinomianism

Defined: one who holds that under the gospel dispensation of grace the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation.

Why does this word keep popping into my head? Well, because sometimes it is so hard to find a balance between this and the message of grace that we find in the gospel. On a "good" day (probably one where you don't have to interact with other people :o) it may be easy to think "I really feel like I did everything right. I did my devotion. I prayed for other people. I cleaned my house without complaining... God MUST be happy with me." On a "bad" day it is much easier to think "Well, I sinned all day long, but that's okay, God doesn't expect me to obey. That's what grace is for. I sure am glad I can sin and know it's covered."

Here's the thing... Our sins ARE covered and grace has indeed set us free from the law (the condemnation of the law, Romans 8:1). We don't have a list of do's and dont's that we need to be haunted by, BUT... this grace that has been offered to us through Jesus has set us free to obey the law and know that when we fail we are forgiven. It has not been offered to us so that we will have an excuse as to why we don't have to obey. God has given us His law to serve as a light to guide our actions, and we can delight in His law when we understand that we are not condemned by it. In verses 1-8 of Psalm 119 learning and keeping the law of the Lord is mentioned in every verse. This theme continues all through this and all of the Psalms.

I sin because I am a sinner. God has offered me forgiveness through His son, Jesus Christ. Because of this salvation I want to obey and do what is right before God and man, but I will fail. That's where grace comes in. When I fail I trust that He is there beside me ready to forgive me and change me if I will repent and ask him to work in me. Only He can grant me the strength and even the desire to change, but I can only do what is right if I know what is right, and that is found in God's law.

"Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!" Psalm 119:1

New look

Today I decided it was time for a new look... Change is good (fyi, I usually only feel that way in the context of small meaningless details like how my blog looks :o)

Forgiveness

I don't know why I don't post more. I have a lot of deep thoughtful moments. They are just usually fleeting and while I am thinking about it I say to myself "I should blog about this." Then by the time I sit down at my computer I have drawn a blank and I wonder what it was that I thought was so interesting earlier in the day. Well anyway, here's a little bit of how God's been dealing with me.

My husband and I were recently hurt by the words and actions of someone very dear to us and Andy made a quick, yet discerning decision to talk to this person about the situation. We were not even able to get words out about what we thought and how it affected us before this person apologized and admitted what they had done to hurt and offend us. It was such a sincere and heartfelt apology as well as a swallowing of pride in admitting the wrong that had been done. As I listened all that came to mind was Luke 12:48 "...Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required..." This verse is often used in the church as a reminder to share the wealth God has given, suggesting that if God has given you much (materially) you should give much to others. While I agree with this sentiment, I was struck on a very different level in this moment. How gracious God has been to forgive me of this wretched, sinful heart. What right would I have not to forgive? Psalm 103:11-12 "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." And He commands me to forgive as he forgave. How easy it was to put this incident of being sinned against into perspective when I remember all that has been forgiven me. I am so thankful that "God does not deal with me according to my sins" Psalm 103:10 I hope that I can remember this as I struggle through this broken and sinful world in order to forgive others as Christ forgave me.

Another thing that I have been mulling over is how absolutely sincere this broken, sinful person was in seeking forgiveness from two people who are as broken and sinful as he. How much more sincere and broken should my heart be when I enter into the presence of my Holy King to repent and seek forgiveness. The very thought of God's design for my salvation is awe inspiring. I think repentance to a Holy God who has already forgiven me should be exciting. How wonderful is it that what God wants from me is to repent and let go so he can change me, not to promise to change myself. I can't do anything to earn my salvation or change it (whew!) but what a joy it is to know that God will help me to see my sin and bring me face to face with Him so that I can repent and let Him change me.

Cleaning Floors

As I was bent over on my hands and knees scrubbing the kitchen floor I said out loud "I HATE THIS!" Then God gave me a little nudge and reminded me to be thankful that I have a kitchen floor to scrub. It is so easy to complain rather than be thankful. What an easy life I live here in America. Just think, scrubbing my floor might be the most difficult thing I have to endure today.

The Story of the Car

Andy was in an accident. He was fine, just a few bumps and bruises. We both spent the next week and a half feeling stressed out and anxious. Why? Well, the heart of it is that we just don't trust God the way we should and know we can. My head knew all the right answers and my mouth even spoke them, but for goodness sake I was ticked! We just spent $250 to have the car inspected and registered for 2 more years (when I say "just" I mean two days before the accident) We just entered the world of no car payments which we were thrilled about and we did not want to go out and get more debt after finally being free from it. STINK! So, we drove a couple of old, no REALLY old cars. I think one was an '87. That's right, your heard me, I was 7 years old when that car was new. Needless to say, these test drives brought a few laughs into our lives that we really needed at the time. Anyway, after sharing one car for a few days Andy came home from work one day and said "I decided what we are going to buy!" I of course responded with a coy "You did, huh?" As if he had some nerve deciding without having me approve this decision. He then smiled and said "We're getting a new mini-van." You should now be seeing a choir of angels singing in a heavenly voice "Ahhhhhhh..." Who would have thought that my dream car would be a mini-van!?! Yikes. We went shopping that night bought our van, picked it up 2 days later, and now if you seeing we around town I will be sporting a new Silver Hyundai Entourage. Wahoo!

The good news is that all of the satisfaction I thought I would find in having this mini-van that I've been dreaming of left me feeling empty. What a great reminder that the only place I can find true satisfaction, relief, and joy is in my Heavenly Father. I am so glad that he reminds me of this because it is so easy to get caught up in loving money and things.

Still, I do like my new ride. Here's a pic...

Goodbye, Car!

Thought for the day

"No one is of the Spirit of Christ but he that has the utmost compassion for sinners. Nor is there any great sign of your own perfection than you find yourself all love and compassion toward them that are very weak and defective. And on the other hand, you have never less reason to be pleased with yourself than when you find yourself most angry and offended at the behavior of others. All sin is certainly to be hated and abhorred where it is, but then we must set ourselves against sin as we do against sickness and diseases, by showing ourselves tender and compassionate to the sick and diseased."

Quote by William Law, taken from the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas