In a recent sermon on Romans 8, Pastor Ryan stated that often we are afraid to say "God is for us" (vs. 31). The prosperity gospel (and run-of-the-mill American evangelicalism for that matter) has taken that verse and so many others out of context, It has made God all about us and our temporal happiness. But just because people have twisted scripture doesn't mean we should be afraid to believe what He has said.
You may not feel that way, but I can relate completely. I've known situations where "grace" was deliberately turned into license, so in response to that misuse, I swung to the extreme where I was almost afraid of that word. I think I'm getting better, but sometimes I still tense inwardly when I read or hear what IMO isn't a balanced gospel message.
But after thinking more about my reactions, I realized that, more often than not, pride is pushing my pendulum. If so-and-so is getting (insert favorite theological pet peeve here) wrong, then by golly, I'm going to get it right. I'm not saying we shouldn't care about doctrine or issues affecting the church. We should care a great deal, but if pride is the underlying motivation, has it ever been a good impetus for anything?
If person or group A is getting it wrong, the answer isn't becoming not A. The answer is to be more like Christ. This takes the focus off of A vs. not A. It takes the focus off of me and my desire to be correct and puts it where it needs to be - on Jesus. And besides, if I humbly ask the Father to make me like His Son by the power of the Holy Spirit, do I really think I can do a better job of self-correction than the Trinity?
You may not feel that way, but I can relate completely. I've known situations where "grace" was deliberately turned into license, so in response to that misuse, I swung to the extreme where I was almost afraid of that word. I think I'm getting better, but sometimes I still tense inwardly when I read or hear what IMO isn't a balanced gospel message.
But after thinking more about my reactions, I realized that, more often than not, pride is pushing my pendulum. If so-and-so is getting (insert favorite theological pet peeve here) wrong, then by golly, I'm going to get it right. I'm not saying we shouldn't care about doctrine or issues affecting the church. We should care a great deal, but if pride is the underlying motivation, has it ever been a good impetus for anything?
If person or group A is getting it wrong, the answer isn't becoming not A. The answer is to be more like Christ. This takes the focus off of A vs. not A. It takes the focus off of me and my desire to be correct and puts it where it needs to be - on Jesus. And besides, if I humbly ask the Father to make me like His Son by the power of the Holy Spirit, do I really think I can do a better job of self-correction than the Trinity?
I agree that being more Christ-like is not not being something.
ReplyDeleteGood thoughts.