Monday, November 3, 2008

Bring your iron

Something has been on my mind a lot lately....Grace.
I have heard it used quite often and sometimes something about the way it is being used...well, it bothers my spirit. So I have decided to do a little searching around.....in the Bible and in some sources available.
I am concerned that in the coming times we may not have been prepared in the way that
God intends because we are taking a gift given freely...without any type of "exchange life".

So I will be thinking and praying on this.
If a warrior goes through much training....giving up the life of freedom like one does when enlisted in the services-- then as a believer who has given their life over to God.....what does that life look like? What does the enlistment requirement time look like?
I think it is a little more involved than...Ops, I messed up let's slap a little grace on it.
Ops, there I went again where is the bucket of grace to throw on it.

I know that sounded a little harsh or sarcastic.....not the attitude I am going for...promise.
I just want to know if at any time or in any way I am
using or selling a...... Cheap Grace.

So that is what I Googled this morning-----cheap grace.
I found this......

The Cost of Discipleship

by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945)

Has anybody heard of this guy and is this a good trust worthy source?

I don't want someone to make me feel good and tickle my ears.
God told us the road would be narrow and few would find it.
If this walk is so easy-let's face it we are not being beaten for our faith nor do we find ourselves really hurt by the ridicule of unbelievers--- so do you think maybe more are on the wide road and they think it just has expanded or the years?

Romans 5:20 (The Message)

20-21All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn't, and doesn't, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that's the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.

Romans 6:1-3 (New International Version)

1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?


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8 comments:

Holly said...

Oh yeah, he is! Do a little research on Bonhoeffer and you will be challenged by a man of faith.

I can't wait to see what God teaches you, my friend!

Love,
Holly

luvmy4sons said...

It is a difficult read but I read most of his book. Good stuff. We all must take up our cross and follow the Lord. We need not worry about making hard choices...they will come our way. And I love the Romans quote. Grace does not mean we should take it lightly and sin so because we are forgiven. I think anyone who does that I would have to question their salvation to begin with. I certainly do not take my wonderful Savior's blood for granted. It cost Him dearly. But I also know that I CAN NEVER be without failure. It is so freeing to me to know that as long as my heart is where it should be ( and it is only my heart I can know no one elses)seeking God, trying to emulate Christ, that even if I fail NOW there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. Those are just some of my musings on the matter. Great post!

pam said...

He's a great read. I took a class in college just on his writings. Pretty deep sometimes---really makes you think. I personally think we like to believe in God and live like we want cause we're covered. I think we take the gift of grace for granted. Every moment of our days should be lived in awe of the gift He has given us and not step out to action so lightly, thinking we're so easily covered by the grace. It is holy and we probably need to be stopped in our tracks in the way we choose to live each day. It's pretty representative of our whole country today. Proclaiming a belief in God but not really living it out.

Vicki said...

Just stopping by with a hug & hello. Might need to blog on this myself, but today I'm too sick. Hope you're well. One thought occurs to me...the Lord's grace is extravagant, not cheap. I'm a little fuzzy brained and not sure of your final point, but it's beautiful to ponder grace and the freedom it brings in Christ. That upsets the pharisees:-) Ah but no matter how great our sin, His grace is greater still!

Enjoyed your post, sister.

Denise said...

Hugs and love to you sis.

Denise said...

Grace was very costly...... The Grace of God by which we are saved...... Grace ....it is free but it cost the life of the Son of God........ Grace unmerited favor in the face of our sin........ Grace is what covers us when life overwhelms us....... Grace........ the Love of a Father to an unlovable world......

Darlene said...

Great thought! I think we take it forgranted sometimes. Like saying "I love you" we say it and mean it but sometimes we say it out of habit. I hope this makes sense. LOL
I am waiting to see what you will teach us on what you learn.
Love the new look!
Darlene

Halfmoon Girl said...

I know him to be a man of God, but I haven't really studied him much. I agree with what you have to say here- a Christian life requires some participation on our part- not that we earn salvation, but we are to grow and become rooted in Him. There should be a change in us.