Bits of Grace

Maybe you can call them devotions, but I call them little bits of grace that make you think about our faith as Christians and question what we hold dear in hopes to bring us to a better understanding of who we are in Christ. Some are direct quotes of mine and some are combinations of things I've heard and read over time. I hope they help you out.

Are you a cultural Christian? People say, "I was born a Christian" or "I grew up in a Christian home." If Christianity is a habit more so than an encounter with Jesus Christ, you may want to test yourself. Otherwise, you might find yourself at the very throne of Christ at the very last judgment saying, "Lord Lord" and hear Him say, "away from me, I never knew you."

What is worship? To many it is going to church every time the doors are open and building their lives around the activities of that church. After all, God must be pleased with them for doing so, right? The Bible defines our "spiritual act of worship" as making ourselves "living sacrifices." When we make ourselves available to the Lord to live His life in and through us, that is true worship.

Welcome to the House of the Lord!" How many of us hear that every time we are in church as if the building we are in is the temple of God? The Bible says that God, "does not live in temples built by hands." It also says that Christians are the "temple of the Holy Spirit." We don't go to church. We are the Church and we go to the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

"There but for the grace of God, go I." This isn't a backhanded condemnation towards someone in trouble. It is not just a way to thank God we aren't in a bad situation. It is a recognition that we once were like a particular person or were headed in the same direction as that person. But, somewhere along that way we found Jesus Christ and recognize the opportunity to share Him with the individual we have encountered.

God helps those who help themselves." "Let go and let God." We repeat cliches like these everyday trying to encourage and comfort each other. While they're well meaning, they're vague and unbiblical. Defining there meaning is too often left up to the individual to determine. We need to rely on the truth of the Bible to comfort and encourage us. Remember, if truth sets us free then error puts us in bondage.

There are many Christians that say they love God, but live a life in total fear of Him. They believe themselves to be one sin away from damnation or separation from God. You can't love a God you are afraid of. As long as you believe God is not pleased with you and is always raising the bar of acceptance you will never experience His love or grow in your relationship with Him.

My reason for sharing these observations is because I believe there are people out there who can relate to the questions I have raised and the observations I have made. I know what it is like to not have questions answered or, worse, to be afraid to even ask them because of the response you may receive. In your normal religious or church environment what is being taught is supported and accepted by the masses regardless of whether it is true or not. And any questioning of the norm can be met with aggressiveness to the point that the individual asking the question can be deemed heretical. There is only one truth out there on nearly every subject related to our lives as Christians. God desires to reveal it to us all and He doesn't mind us asking questions in order to be sure of what we believe. In fact, He encourages it. "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1)." Be encouraged saints. It is okay to think and ask questions. It is the only way to grow.