The subject we planned on discussing for this week was unexpectedly tossed out as our intro within the podcast evolved. Our conversation became about growing in grace and our understanding of the gospel. Of course, this isn't referring to finding ways to get more grace because God has already abundantly provided all of us with more than enough. But there is always a journey involving our understanding of it.
Some will struggle with growing because it may mean having a change of mind about something they considered as the truth from what they considered a 'biblical' perspective which they embraced as a significant part of their belief system. Some will double down and cling to previous assumptions, unwilling to receive what may help them in their walk with God. And what about the people we read of in the Bible? Did they not also grow in their understanding? Why would we think these humans knew everything or that they were any different from us? Eternity will be an exciting journey, always learning while being enlightened with a greater knowledge of the truth of God and the mystery of eternal things.
Truth isn't meant to be based on being persuaded by Bible doctrines that we embrace or reject. One can't help but wonder the number of people who attend a church building regularly who struggle with where they stand with God. They may sometimes feel worse coming out than when they went in. Why? Most likely because the good news was missing from the sermon which contained a number of Bible verses quoted and was denominationally certified as 'biblical.'
The writer of Hebrews reflected on an eternal redemption that came through the blood of Jesus. God's Spirit speaks to our (new) hearts with reassurance and inwardly appeals for us to trust in what Jesus did through a finished work while avoiding the religious trap to include the 'fruit of our labor' as added insurance. It was known as the ministry of "thou shall and thou shall not." It lands people onto a dead-end street.
Imagine never having to worry about whether you are doing enough to satisfy God or whether He will cut you off. Imagine God's desires becoming your own and your heart desiring to express them. You can stop imagining.
"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:28). Yeah. He's that good. Trust Him. He is truth. He is the guarantee of an eternal covenant.
Even the works that religion is so zealous to emphasize is by grace through faith and not of ourselves. We boast in nothing. What we do (or avoid) is not meant to be 'spiritual exercise' to strengthen or secure our position with God. Doing good works will not wipe out the struggle with condemnation. It will not make faith perfect. This is the job of Jesus and it's finished. It will not be the proof that faith is alive. Grace, faith, and works are not synonymous.
Walking by faith is not a "look at me" proposition. With that said, works can become an important part of our lives in Christ. God desires for us to focus on Jesus and the Spirit who lives within. He is our life and certainly wants to flow through us. The fruit of the Spirit is not a to-do list or a program for gradual self-improvement ... and it's not even our fruit. He is the vine who produces the fruit, we are branches humbly allowed to bear it. It's an exciting path. But it does not determine who God has made us to be as children who have been ensured and guaranteed with an eternal inheritance.
A couple of Bible verses misapplied here and a couple of verses there ... and all of a sudden—POOF! The slippery slope begins to rear its ugly head as even well-meaning subscribers to the message of God's unlimited grace begin to pivot when they declare faith needs to be seen outwardly through what one does. Otherwise (they say), the faith may be inauthentic or even dead. The talking point is all too common: "We're not saved by works, but" ... and they will begin to withdraw in the direction of proclaiming the need to prove or show evidence of faith.
Without realizing it, we're back to a mixed message that is not the gospel as it was communicated by Paul: "Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness."
Jesus cautioned His disciples to avoid the "look at me" approach used by hypocrites who feel it is necessary to be seen with their doing. It is based in law, not faith. After all, faith is the evidence of that which is not seen. We walk by faith, not by sight. Anybody can perform outwardly and do good deeds ... and they don't have to be self-professed believers in Jesus to demonstrate something positive. Our motivation in Christ should be different than the self-righteous approach of boasting that desires to be seen. It's from a place of perfect love that God demonstrated to us through Jesus and it leaves us with nothing to prove outwardly for others to see or judge.
So ... what about this 'fruit stand' that church brands along the side of the road are always trying to advertise? Even as one of their steady customers, religious fruit inspectors may have cited you with having dead faith if 'your' fruit isn't being seen outwardly. That's not a very reassuring place to be—because how in the world will you know you've achieved success and that all is well in the faith department? After all, it's by grace through faith that one is saved.
Jewish people under law could display fruit that looks good outwardly. Wolves in sheep's clothing can do the same. People who don't believe in Jesus can also go full throttle when it comes to doing good works and showing compassion—faith is not required to feed and clothe people. Faith isn't dependent upon fruit that is seen in order to stay alive. But the God kind of faith—apart from the effort of works—is able to trust the Spirit of God from within to allow us to bear His fruit that He produces. It's better than our inconsistent attempts and keeps our boasting in Jesus instead of ourselves.
A common catchphrase that may get thrown around a lot goes something like: "Let's keep our eyes on Jesus." It's certainly good advice to be looking to Jesus ... but just exactly what does it mean? Ask this question to a group of believers or ministers and you're likely to get a variety of different answers. How does one fix their eyes upon Him and what does it involve on our end of things to accomplish it?
Don't fall for the assumptions that it involves daily duties and a commitment to certain works or religious activities. Contrary to law-based mindsets, faith is not perfected by our efforts or by what we do. Let's consider it is Jesus who is the author/originator of faith, and He is also the finisher and perfecter. We look at that which is not seen, walking by faith and not by sight ... not guided by the ups and downs of our performance and personal experience.
To a significant degree, Bible teaching consists of a perspective or opinion ... a point of view. You've probably noticed the seemingly infinite number of those different theories and expressions. Many times, one well-known church or pastor can express the polar opposite of another prominent—if not trendy—minister with a popular following. It becomes an academic or philosophical debate about things that are only spiritually discerned.
The viewpoints can often be traced back to narratives that were handed down from previous ideologies by those who came before us. When the narrative is embraced as the ultimate truth, it becomes the mission to fit the concepts into the boundaries of that narrative. It can also be the result of interpretation without context. Combining the old and new covenants may also be a contributing factor. Church groupies wander all over, looking for someone they can trust to give them answers and interpret the Bible for them.
Not everyone can be right, right? It can leave so many in a state of confusion. In this day of instant social media, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all of it when trying to get answers. And for those who have encountered the gospel of grace and been freed from many burdensome and misguided doctrines with the help of God's Spirit ... how can we possibly begin to have a positive impact on so many others who are trapped in a system that touts various forms of legalism and religious bondage? Here's a hint: It doesn't start by trying to convince them to think like you do.
