Keep Doing It!
Bold Grace is so bold that it tells those who are trapped in any certain behavior to KEEP DOING IT! To hear an explanation of what I mean you need to go to www.glennkleinonline.com/webcast/guests/mwilliams.html
Then scroll down to March 18, 2008 and listen to Glenn & Mike for THE WHOLE Show!
About 53 minutes into the show a young man calls and tells them of something he "needs" to quit doing and the response the guys give him is one I guarantee no church or church leader would give! But within the answer is THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL! Please listen to it from at least 53 minutes on to the end! Then come back and give us your thoughts. The truth that Mike gives him is the ONLY answer that will set people free from addictive behaviors.
Peace
Geo
Come on… God’s Grace can’t be that powerful!
How often we negate the power of God’s love by believing in a system of “do good, get good… do bad, get bad”. Religion has taught us that the key to placing ourselves in God’s favor is in correcting our “anti-God” behaviors. Religion thinks by continually heaping guilt and shame onto us, we will finally surrender to God’s demands, fall into “obedience” (whatever that is), and become acceptable to Him. In other words, we need to make ourselves righteous before we can receive God’s righteousness! Isn’t that a bit “self-righteous”?
It is a bit self-righteous, isn’t it, Bruce? And isn’t our righteousness tantamount to filthy rags?
I listened to it last night and I got a kick out of it. It was hard to hear the guy that called at the end. I think his voice was so quiet and shy because these topics must be difficult for him to discuss. I thought about calling in that night because this week was my spring break and I usually have class Wednesday night, so I would miss the webcast. Good thing I did not call, otherwise who knows if this man would have got through.
I listened to the web cast twice and whether I agree with the advice given to this man or disagree with it is besides the point. In fact I am not sure one way or the other. I believe we have to use wisdom and common sense on how this great gospel of grace and peace is presented to people and it certainly was not used during that web cast. In cases like they encountered with this man, I think it is best to be handled in a more private way than the Internet. It is ok for most of us that have come to a knowledge of the Gospel to listen to this sort of thing, whether we agree with it or not, but it certainly not something the world out there needs to hear. It is just a further turn off for them and I found it to be in very poor taste in that respect.
Bruce,
YES it CAN! I know you said that tongue in cheek though.
Shelly,
YES it is!
Michelle,
I am sure they are very difficult for him or anyone else to discuss. But it is when those things are brought to the light of discussion that we then begin to heal. Of course you already know that though.
Roy,
I totally understand your feeling that way. I used to feel that same sentiment. But I have come to realize that it was and is the ONLY THING that will set people FREE. Maybe for too long we have worried about what the “christian world” would think if we preached the Gospel of Grace & Peace to its end. But Maybe it is time to not be ashamed of this Gospel that Paul preached any longer? Will the world think we are nuts and crazy? ABSOLUTELY! But if we must be excluded by the “christian world” and the world because of this message then so be it!
This message of COMPLETE FREEDOM will and does set the captives free. The initial response by people may be to go and do the behavior MORE but in time that will cease as long as that person knows the behavior has no standing between them and God. I know in my mind that young man heard the Gospel for the first time last Wednesday night. And now that that seed has been planted it will be worked by our loving Savior to its completion. But these are just my beliefs! I could and may be TOTALLY WRONG! I so much appreciate how we can share what we think and feel here at Bold Grace. I also am so happy that you are here! Thanks for what you add.
Peace
Geo
P.S.
“Keep Doing It”!!!!!!
I haven’t decided if I agree with Mike’s advice or not either, but I think them having to freedom to discuss it was great.
Great comments on freedom, Geo.
My only other comment is – Well that’s Mike for ya!!!!!!
Bob,
Isn’t it wonderful that we no longer have to agree on any topic in order to be united?! And I would also add that it is not only Mike but there are multitudes of people who have embraced that answer. And from the ones I know of, all of them have had a cessation of the previous behaviors that they thought they would never be free of. Freedom sets you free to be free. And only in freedom can choices be made that will set people even more free.
Peace
Geo