Monday, May 4, 2009
Christian Universalism
I am so thrilled that several friends are starting to know the truth of the reconciliation of all mankind! What a blessing to watch others experience the release of fear and guilt and a troubled relationship with our Father. I can almost feel them relax and rest in Him, knowing that their place in Him is secure and final. Thank You Papa for not losing even one!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Law and Grace
I've been thinking quite a bit lately about Law and Grace. Whenever we try to "balance" the two, Grace comes out the loser. However, we seem to consistently wind up back at Law. How many messages or sermons have you heard that focused far more on what you need to do for God or how you need to do more, be more, clean up your act? I thought that the redemption of mankind was God's idea and His work - when did it become ours?
A couple of years ago I remember reading about the early history of the church and about the changes it went through and its effect on scripture. Up until Augustine and Constantine, the early church predominantly believed that redemption was accomplished at the cross. When Christianity became politicized through Constantine, the message began to change. The church and political leaders found that if they threatened punishment for non-compliance, they could maintain control of the people. Augustine was also instrumental in inserting the message of "hell" into the common man's thinking.
The church lost its authority in the message and power of Grace. When it superimposed the Law over Grace, the Law won out and Grace died. The only purpose of the Law is to kill, and kill it does, and that's all it does. Grace brings life and hope and knowledge of God's infinite love and mercy. It does far more than that - it lifts us from the mundane human experience into the realm of the supernatural. Natural limitations no longer exist and we flow easily in the Spirit. I believe that the insertion of the Law into the message of Reconciliation has resulted in the current powerless condition of the church. When the church abandoned the true message of the gracious Good News, it forfeited its power.
The good news is that the power of Grace is still available to all who will abandon the Law and seek God for the truth of Grace and Reconciliation. God help us in our search! The Good News really is good news!
A couple of years ago I remember reading about the early history of the church and about the changes it went through and its effect on scripture. Up until Augustine and Constantine, the early church predominantly believed that redemption was accomplished at the cross. When Christianity became politicized through Constantine, the message began to change. The church and political leaders found that if they threatened punishment for non-compliance, they could maintain control of the people. Augustine was also instrumental in inserting the message of "hell" into the common man's thinking.
The church lost its authority in the message and power of Grace. When it superimposed the Law over Grace, the Law won out and Grace died. The only purpose of the Law is to kill, and kill it does, and that's all it does. Grace brings life and hope and knowledge of God's infinite love and mercy. It does far more than that - it lifts us from the mundane human experience into the realm of the supernatural. Natural limitations no longer exist and we flow easily in the Spirit. I believe that the insertion of the Law into the message of Reconciliation has resulted in the current powerless condition of the church. When the church abandoned the true message of the gracious Good News, it forfeited its power.
The good news is that the power of Grace is still available to all who will abandon the Law and seek God for the truth of Grace and Reconciliation. God help us in our search! The Good News really is good news!
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