Have you been living in hopelessness, pain and rejection?
Have you been struggling with some worst sins in your life?
If there is anybody out there bound in any kind of sin, I have news for you: you cannot out-sin the grace of God no matter what...
But where sin increased, grace increased all the more (Romans 5:20)
I would like to share this true story I found on realanswers.net: (Please click the below link to read the story)
Freedom From Bondage
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Rethinking 'Church'
When God started to make things clear to me (or when I finally started to listen to Him) about His unconditional love and grace, my first reaction was over-reaction. I was angry at the religion. I wanted to ask those who deceive the people with legalism, why they do that? I wanted to fight the heresy they teach. I was annoyed by the processed sermons they preach. I became intolerant towards legalism. I wanted to be in the middle of it and fight it. I tried, tried and tried. I was treated as someone deceived by a ‘bad theology’. I was told that ‘grace alone’ is dangerous. I was asked to read the ‘what we believe’ page of their website. I was a subject of their prayer, so that God’s wrath won’t fall up on me. I was told that the New Covenant is a continuation of Old Covenant. Finally it came to a point where either they will excommunicate me, or I should stop fighting. Then finally I left by my own.
Like Aida said in her blog, grace really is disruptive . It made my life upside down. It made disruption in my own life and in the life of the ones around me. It is so very difficult to hide the grace of God.
Sure enough, I wasn’t mature enough to take it lightly about fighting legalism with my own energy. I felt deceived for many years. I was seeing church as an entity where people workout in a spiritual gymnasium. I thought, without such a place to ‘work out’ we become nonspiritual. I couldn't think of a spiritual life without it. There I have seen people who think the church-potatoes are more spiritual. People who think skipping a meeting is a sin. Everybody operating on the basis of fear while struggling to put up a peace smile on their faces. People who fear demons, pastors, unbelievers and pretty much everything other than the ones in their own ‘sect’. Sorry if it sounds like a cult. It's not intentional.
The question is should we fight it? I think there is a difference in fighting legalism and opposing legalism. Fighting can produce reformation but ultimately the result could be just another system. We don’t want to replace one system for another. I respect the historical reformations but at the same time wondering if it just erupted another system. Instead of Cathedrals, now we have churches (assemblies, chapel, etc). I am tempted to fight it but it could also mean that it is still controlling me. Fighting could be a sign that I am still in it. Shouldn't we just rest in the all sufficiency of His grace? And if legalism come in our way, just oppose it? I don't mean being inactive. In fact I have never seen a person who is walking in grace being inactive.
'Systems' are generated from fear and it tries to give people a false sense of security. But if there is a bit of fear, the love is not perfected. We can’t perfect in love, unless we see the One who loved us while we were yet sinners.
Systems/Organizations miss the majors and they end up concentrating on the minors. One of the most wonderful Bible study advice I have ever received is – majoring in majors as opposed to majoring in minors. Minors such as building, music, dress, programs, meetings, committees as opposed to the majors such as Jesus, Grace, Faith, Love, Hope, Forgiveness, Acceptance, Discipleship.
Is it time to rethink church? Is it time to rethink community? Is it time to rethink fellowship? Does it have to be organized? Does it have to be planned? Does it have to be formal?
In a hard way I am learning that we can be spiritual without the organ playing and lights dim. I was so used to it and it required a lot of unlearning. I am still in the process of unlearning. Religion has such a power to bind us. It never ever ever can set us free. Music don’t set us free, programs don’t set us free, miracles don't set us free,... But it is THE truth that truly set us free!
I am no more bound in the four walls of religion. Thank you Jesus! I am in a risky ocean of Grace. Yes it is risky, disruptive, dangerous but it is worth taking that risk. Not that I was courageous to take such a risk, but it was Him doing it, it was Him who showed me His radical grace, it was Him who loved me perfectly while I was still a sinner. There is a lot more to explore in this great ocean, there is excitement, there are wonders and miracles. (Warning:There is also pain involved in the process of walking by faith). But it is sweet, it is so freeing, it is so securing in His love. Are you ready to dive in, leaving the securities of your religion?
Like Aida said in her blog, grace really is disruptive . It made my life upside down. It made disruption in my own life and in the life of the ones around me. It is so very difficult to hide the grace of God.
Sure enough, I wasn’t mature enough to take it lightly about fighting legalism with my own energy. I felt deceived for many years. I was seeing church as an entity where people workout in a spiritual gymnasium. I thought, without such a place to ‘work out’ we become nonspiritual. I couldn't think of a spiritual life without it. There I have seen people who think the church-potatoes are more spiritual. People who think skipping a meeting is a sin. Everybody operating on the basis of fear while struggling to put up a peace smile on their faces. People who fear demons, pastors, unbelievers and pretty much everything other than the ones in their own ‘sect’. Sorry if it sounds like a cult. It's not intentional.
The question is should we fight it? I think there is a difference in fighting legalism and opposing legalism. Fighting can produce reformation but ultimately the result could be just another system. We don’t want to replace one system for another. I respect the historical reformations but at the same time wondering if it just erupted another system. Instead of Cathedrals, now we have churches (assemblies, chapel, etc). I am tempted to fight it but it could also mean that it is still controlling me. Fighting could be a sign that I am still in it. Shouldn't we just rest in the all sufficiency of His grace? And if legalism come in our way, just oppose it? I don't mean being inactive. In fact I have never seen a person who is walking in grace being inactive.
'Systems' are generated from fear and it tries to give people a false sense of security. But if there is a bit of fear, the love is not perfected. We can’t perfect in love, unless we see the One who loved us while we were yet sinners.
Systems/Organizations miss the majors and they end up concentrating on the minors. One of the most wonderful Bible study advice I have ever received is – majoring in majors as opposed to majoring in minors. Minors such as building, music, dress, programs, meetings, committees as opposed to the majors such as Jesus, Grace, Faith, Love, Hope, Forgiveness, Acceptance, Discipleship.
Is it time to rethink church? Is it time to rethink community? Is it time to rethink fellowship? Does it have to be organized? Does it have to be planned? Does it have to be formal?
In a hard way I am learning that we can be spiritual without the organ playing and lights dim. I was so used to it and it required a lot of unlearning. I am still in the process of unlearning. Religion has such a power to bind us. It never ever ever can set us free. Music don’t set us free, programs don’t set us free, miracles don't set us free,... But it is THE truth that truly set us free!
I am no more bound in the four walls of religion. Thank you Jesus! I am in a risky ocean of Grace. Yes it is risky, disruptive, dangerous but it is worth taking that risk. Not that I was courageous to take such a risk, but it was Him doing it, it was Him who showed me His radical grace, it was Him who loved me perfectly while I was still a sinner. There is a lot more to explore in this great ocean, there is excitement, there are wonders and miracles. (Warning:There is also pain involved in the process of walking by faith). But it is sweet, it is so freeing, it is so securing in His love. Are you ready to dive in, leaving the securities of your religion?
Friday, January 25, 2008
Double talk
I have lived the 'double talk' in Christianity for sometime without even realizing it. Religion has lot of power that it mesmerizes us to think everything it teaches is right. James 1:8 tell us that a double-minded man is unstable in all he does. I was one like that. The guilt, fear and shame it produced was unimaginable. The following are some of the things I have observed in the Christian religion. The idea is not to bash things but to share the amazement.
Isn’t funny that we tell people that Christ died to take away their sins, and tell them how to confess them?
Isn’t funny that we tell people to go where ever God leads them, and then telling them where to go?
Isn’t funny that we tell people that God is love, and tell them how to ‘earn’ His love?
Isn’t it funny that we tell people that salvation is not by works, and teach the ‘steps’ to be saved?
Isn’t it funny that we tell people that Gospel is all about Jesus, and explains them things to ‘do’ to be saved or stay saved?
Isn’t it funny that we teach people from New Testament, and ignore the significance of New Covenant?
Isn’t it funny that we tell people that the curtain was torn from top to bottom, and still build tabernacles?
Isn’t it funny that we tell people that we can call God, Abba Father, and teach them to mug up prayer?
Isn’t it funny that we tell people that God is omniscient, and then tell them to pray to change God’s mind?
Isn’t it funny that we tell people to call God our Father, and refer to Him as God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?
Isn’t it funny that we teach people that we are under a New Covenant, and then teach them to tithe?
Isn’t it funny that we teach people to tithe, and then serve them pork for dinner?
Isn’t it funny that we tell people to read 2 Cor 3:7-11, and fight for public display of 10 commandments?
Isn’t it funny that we tell people that Holy Spirit is our teacher, and still busy building seminaries?
Isn’t it funny that we tell people that the church is the body of Christ (group of believers), and invite them to a building calling it ‘church’?
Isn’t it funny that we tell people that we are under Grace, and teach them law?
Isn’t funny that we tell people that Christ came seeking sinners not the righteous, and bash sinners?
Isn't it funny that we teach people that what matters to God is not the education but the heart, then hire only seminary graduates?
Isn't it funny that we tell people that Jesus's disciples were poor, then tell them to pray for prosperity?
Isn't it funny that we tell people that Jesus used uneducated to change the world, and put M.Th and M.Div at the end our names?
Isn't it funny that we tell people that they are free in Christ, and then bash them for not obeying the law?
Isn't it funny that we tell people that money is evil, and pray to bless them financially?
Isn't funny that we tell people that we cannot serve mammon and God at the same time, and inviting them to testify about the 'financial miracle'?
Isn't it funny that we tell people that sinners are welcome to our 'church', and bash them with law?
Isn't it funny that we tell people to be like 'Bereans' (Acts 17:11), and then excommunicate them if they question?
Isn’t funny that we tell people that Christ died to take away their sins, and tell them how to confess them?
Isn’t funny that we tell people to go where ever God leads them, and then telling them where to go?
Isn’t funny that we tell people that God is love, and tell them how to ‘earn’ His love?
Isn’t it funny that we tell people that salvation is not by works, and teach the ‘steps’ to be saved?
Isn’t it funny that we tell people that Gospel is all about Jesus, and explains them things to ‘do’ to be saved or stay saved?
Isn’t it funny that we teach people from New Testament, and ignore the significance of New Covenant?
Isn’t it funny that we tell people that the curtain was torn from top to bottom, and still build tabernacles?
Isn’t it funny that we tell people that we can call God, Abba Father, and teach them to mug up prayer?
Isn’t it funny that we tell people that God is omniscient, and then tell them to pray to change God’s mind?
Isn’t it funny that we tell people to call God our Father, and refer to Him as God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?
Isn’t it funny that we teach people that we are under a New Covenant, and then teach them to tithe?
Isn’t it funny that we teach people to tithe, and then serve them pork for dinner?
Isn’t it funny that we tell people to read 2 Cor 3:7-11, and fight for public display of 10 commandments?
Isn’t it funny that we tell people that Holy Spirit is our teacher, and still busy building seminaries?
Isn’t it funny that we tell people that the church is the body of Christ (group of believers), and invite them to a building calling it ‘church’?
Isn’t it funny that we tell people that we are under Grace, and teach them law?
Isn’t funny that we tell people that Christ came seeking sinners not the righteous, and bash sinners?
Isn't it funny that we teach people that what matters to God is not the education but the heart, then hire only seminary graduates?
Isn't it funny that we tell people that Jesus's disciples were poor, then tell them to pray for prosperity?
Isn't it funny that we tell people that Jesus used uneducated to change the world, and put M.Th and M.Div at the end our names?
Isn't it funny that we tell people that they are free in Christ, and then bash them for not obeying the law?
Isn't it funny that we tell people that money is evil, and pray to bless them financially?
Isn't funny that we tell people that we cannot serve mammon and God at the same time, and inviting them to testify about the 'financial miracle'?
Isn't it funny that we tell people that sinners are welcome to our 'church', and bash them with law?
Isn't it funny that we tell people to be like 'Bereans' (Acts 17:11), and then excommunicate them if they question?
Religion Vs. True Grace
Church loving – People loving
Pastor loving – Jesus loving
Church praising – God praising
Giving 10% - Give in ‘free will’
Control others using law – Proclaim that the law is fulfilled in Christ
Not questioning anything – Challenge law and legalism under new covenant
Showing off love – Sharing genuine love
Bashing sinners – Tell them Christ took away all their sins once-for-all
Evangelizing everybody – Proclaim the unconditional love of God to those who are ready to listen
Trying to convert people using law, guilt and fear – Trying to show people love, grace and freedom in Christ
Being active in church programs – Being active in ‘growing in Grace’
Being social – Being who we are
Bound but acting free - Free and acting free
Showing off Bible knowledge – Knowing Bible for what it means, not what it says
Being busy – Walk by faith
Acting holy – Being holy
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