Grace is the face love wears, when it meets imperfection.~Joseph R. Cooke
But let’s go a little further with our illustration. Let’s say that not
only is a blanket pardon extended all who have practiced prostitution,
but the king has asked you, in particular, to become his bride. What
happens when a prostitute marries a king? She becomes a queen. Now would
you have a reason for a change of lifestyle? Absolutely. It doesn’t
take a genius to realize that the lifestyle of the queen is several
levels superior to that of a prostitute. No woman in her right mind
would go back to the previous life.
As long as half-gospel continues to be taught, we’re going to continue producing Christians who are very thankful that they will not be judged for their sins, but who have no significant self-motivation to change their behavior. That’s why so many leaders have to use the hammer of the law and suffocating peer pressure to keep people in line. But what is the church called in the New Testament? The bride of Christ! The gospel message is in effect a marriage proposal.
~Bob George, Classic Christianity
The church has an unhealthy obsession with sin. We spend our lives watching out for sin, resisting sin, fighting sin, hiding sin, running from sin, owning up to sin, talking about sin, turning from sin, and hopefully, overcoming sin. With so much emphasis on sin, guilt, and shame, is it any wonder so many of us don’t feel righteous? We need the Holy Spirit’s conviction of righteousness now more than ever.
As long as half-gospel continues to be taught, we’re going to continue producing Christians who are very thankful that they will not be judged for their sins, but who have no significant self-motivation to change their behavior. That’s why so many leaders have to use the hammer of the law and suffocating peer pressure to keep people in line. But what is the church called in the New Testament? The bride of Christ! The gospel message is in effect a marriage proposal.
~Bob George, Classic Christianity
The church has an unhealthy obsession with sin. We spend our lives watching out for sin, resisting sin, fighting sin, hiding sin, running from sin, owning up to sin, talking about sin, turning from sin, and hopefully, overcoming sin. With so much emphasis on sin, guilt, and shame, is it any wonder so many of us don’t feel righteous? We need the Holy Spirit’s conviction of righteousness now more than ever.
Religion says it’s about you, but the gospel of grace declares it’s all
about him. Religion says “Do, do, do,” but the good news declares “It’s
done, done, done!” For too long the world has been bound by the
never-ending demands of religion. True freedom is found in knowing the
One whose yoke is easy and light!
