BoldGrace

 A few years back I worshiped with some Quakers for about three years and I would often hear them use the word "Clarity" when they were pondering something that was bothering them.  I think that is a very good word and one of the things Jesus came to do was to bring clarity to our minds.

The first thing He did to accomplish this for us was to rescue us from a system that had our minds full of turmoil.  That system was the LAW.  The LAW consisted of the Ten Commandments plus approximately 630 other laws that had been handed down to the Israelites through the years.  The turmoil in our minds comes as a result of desire to live up to God’s standard of righteousness without the ability to do so.   Listen to the following scriptures:

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

  

Gal 3:10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."

As you can see from the scriptures above it is impossible for any of us to live up to the law demands and therein lies our great problem when it comes to being right with God based on our performance. 

Now unfortunately the organized church of today still does not get this because they continue to preach a gospel that is a mixture of law and grace.   If the Law that God provided could not make us righteous what makes the church think they can do a better job of coming up with another standard for correct performance?  Paul also tells us that there is no law that can make us right.  Listen:

Gal 3:21-22 For if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

When Paul says "a law" he is clearly saying that there can be NO standard of human performance that will ever make one right with God.  He goes on to say that we were all failures when it came to our performance but the promise God made to redeem all of mankind came about because of the FAITH OF JESUS.   Yes, it is given to them that believe and thanks be to God one more time because he will not leave any of us in unbelief.  Paul tell us his own conversion came about because of his unbleif……..listen again to Paul’s account:

1 Tim 1:12-17 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 The grace of the Lord was POURED OUT on Paul abundantly along with the FAITH AND LOVE  that are in CHRIST JESUS.   Paul was converted out of UNBELIEF and was GIVEN faith and love.  And the best thing is he says this conversion was given as an example for ALL  that will eventually believe in the awesome Lord.

Now let’s get back to the CLARITY issue for a minute.  Why do church folk have such a hard time understanding this very BOLD GRACE?   I believe Paul again gives us the answer:

2 Cor 3:13-18 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away.  But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away.  Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect  the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Turn on your televisions on Sunday morning or go to almost any local church and you will hear the LAW preached.  And where you hear the law preached you will find DULL minds.  And how does one get away from this DULL mind?  Turn to the LORD of Bold Grace.  You will find freedom.  Your vision of others will become clear.  You will see the image of God everywhere.   You will see his Glory more and more even in the worst of circumstances and this glorious vision of a FAITHFUL GOD  will transform you more and more from the inside out.

Are you seeking CLARITY OF THOUGHT?  Give up your quest to be righteous by your own beliefs and performance and be awakened to this loving God who has always loved you, loves you now, and will never abandon you regardless of how bad you think you are.  Allow me to leave you with one last scripture because I know there are many out there that have their minds full of turmoil (self condemnation) because of what they are hearing preached every Sunday.

1 John 3:18  For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

Peace to All Who Will Understand,

Cliff

Titus 2:11-15

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

1. First of all Paul tells us in verse 11 that this bold grace has appeared to ALL men.  That means undeserved favor has appeared to all men.  It does not appear to men or women who deserve it because there aren’t any. 
2. Secondly, he clearly shows us that this bold grace has some very specific purposes for all of our lives.  It teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts.  Teaching us to live soberly, righteously, and godly, and he is clearly talking about our earthly lives (this present world).  Now the very obvious thing about this bold grace is that it is given to us before hand  in order that we can have all these wonderful goals.  Without the knowledge of being loved unconditionally (even though we don’t deserve it) we could never move toward what grace teaches us.
3. Third, in verses 13 & 14 we also see the clear description of what Bold Grace really is.  Christ giving himself FOR US!  Not a few of US, or some of US, or just those of US who deserve it, but for ALL OF US!  And just what is HIS goal for us?  To purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 

DISCLAIMER:
These explanations are not necessarily the views and opinions of all or even any on the Bold Grace Team other than myself. (Geo)

2.    I believe: It is hard to Enter through the narrow gate. (Matt. 7)
3.    I believe: That wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. (Matt. 7)
4.    I believe: That small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matt. 7)
Jesus said in Matthew 7: Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
"For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

First let me start by asking a question…. What is Jesus talking about “entering” here?
I was taught in my evangelical days that the passage was talking about two places. Those that entered through the narrow and small gate were entering into the kingdom of heaven. But those who entered the wide and broad way were entering into hell. And that “ENTERING INTO LIFE” meant entering into heaven. But a closer examination of these passages says something quite different and life giving. Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. If you read it slowly and carefully you will see that BOTH the narrow gate and the broad way are entering into the same thing! He does NOT say the narrow gate leads into one place and the wide and broad way lead to another! He does say that there are few who find the small gate and narrow way and those enter in. He does say that there are many who take the wide and broad way and they ALSO enter in! His advice here is to enter in through the small narrow gate and not through the wide broad way.

So what are these two ways? Just this………. The small gate and narrow way is only one thing, GRACE! And there are few who find it when compared to the wide & broad way. So what is the wide & broad way that many or most enter in through? LAWS, RULES & REGULATIONS. And how many religions have them? ALL do. Every religion that I know of has some types of rules or practices you must follow in order to be close to God or the God Nature. That road is VERY WIDE & BROAD and it leads to the destruction of self and the adherents enter through it. The Small & Narrow way of Grace Alone is the hardest thing and way to live in this realm! Why is it hard? Because the human psyche above ALL THINGS wants to be justified by what it does, says or accomplishes. Everything in life from the time we are born teaches and reinforces this. Examples of this are, Children are told, “If you are a good boy daddy will buy you that new fire truck.” Or “If you are a good girl mommy will buy you a Barbie Doll.” Or this, “ If you don’t quit doing that I am going to punish you.”  Then as adults, “Johnny if you can get this done on time we will give you the rest of the week off with pay. “ or “Johnny if this is not done on time your services will no longer be needed by this company.” I know these are generic things but you get the meaning. We are taught by the world from the cradle to the grave, “Do Good, Get Good, Do Bad, Get Beat” In the end this leads to destruction of a person. Or they become a driven self-centered egotistical maniac without even being aware of it.

The other small & narrow way is GRACE and it is very hard to enter in through. Grace says the only thing is GRACE! When you are wronged by another you give GRACE. When you wrong someone else you give yourself GRACE. If you think that is not a small and narrow gate then go see if you can find it in everyday in every situation! You see in this life we will use both gates and ways. Some days I use and can find the Narrow Way (Grace) very clearly. Other days I could not find the Small Gate (GRACE) If I tripped over it! Some days I enjoy trying to make others take the Broad way! Does that surprise you? It shouldn’t because you do to! Some days I love to try and help others see the Small Gate and so do you. So in the end both ways will enter into heaven and we all with great awe will stand together before Him who loved use and gave Himself for us that we might be one with Him as He is one with The Father. At least that is my belief at this time in my life. And as always let me add, I could be full of shit! Hahaha!

Standing at The Gates
Geo

DISCLAIMER:
These explanations are not necessarily the views and opinions of all or even any on the Bold Grace Team other than myself. (Geo)

1.    I believe: Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again"
    How were you taught that this happens? I was taught that the way a person is born again is they hear the message of the cross preached and they respond to it by saying some type of sinner’s prayer and accepting Jesus into their heart as personal Lord & Savior. Now while that may sound reasonable could anyone tell me where to look to find such a belief? Do you remember Jesus only explanation as to how to be “born again”?  He said, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." WHAT?!!!! Being “born again” is like the wind? Wait a minute Jesus I thought I had to accept you and make You my “personal Lord & Savior” in order to be born again? Also did Jesus say that unless you are born again you will not be redeemed and spend eternity with The Father and me? NO! Read it again, He said,
“I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again”     Let me ask you, “Do you see the kingdom of God today? If not then according to Jesus you have not been born again. If you are going to ask me, “Geo, do you see the kingdom of God on earth today?” My answer is a resounding YES! The whole earth screams of His Glory and Majesty on a daily basis. The wars, the killings, the rapes, the murders, the drunks, the prostitutes, the pimps, the abused, the abusers, the faithful, the faithless, the church, the Jews, the Muslims, the Christians, the Hindus, the lawless, the lawful, the Grace filled, the ungraceful, the hater, the lover, the mean, the kind, the black, the yellow, the white, the brown, the red, the poor, the rich, the powerless, the powerful, the smart, the not so smart (that’s me) the able bodied, the handicapped, death and life they all scream of His Glorious Redemption that is in Christ Jesus to me. Jesus said, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (Jn. 3) So again how is a person “born of the spirit” what must one do in order to be “born of the spirit”?

NOTHING! According to the Apostle Paul.
Paul said in his book to the Ephesians :
“Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)—But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

Did you read that? HE made the two groups, Jews & Gentiles ONE by taking them into His body on the Cross. You may well ask, “Geo so what? What does that have to do with all being born of the Spirit”? It has EVERYTHING to do with being “born of the Spirit”! In God’s economy at the time Paul wrote that there were only two kinds of people, The Jews who represented Believing and The Gentiles who represented the Unbelieving. It says He, Jesus took both Jew (believer) and Gentile (unbeliever) into His body making the two groups ONE NEW MAN/WOMAN and abolishing in His own flesh the dividing wall of hostility. And when He died on the Cross ALL of mankind died. When He was put into the grave who was in His body according to the Apostle Paul? ALL of mankind both Jew (believer) and Gentile (unbeliever). And when He rose again who was in His body according to the Apostle Paul? Both Jew (believer) and Gentile (unbeliever) ALL of mankind. And when He ascended into Heaven who ascended into Heaven with Him according to the Apostle Paul? Both Jew (believer) and Gentile (unbeliever). And as He sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven who sits with Him according to the Apostle Paul? Both Jew (believer) and Gentile (unbeliever). You see folks your belief or unbelief does not make something true or false. But your belief about something will have a cause and effect in your life here in this earthly realm. Your born again and all of creations born again experience happened 2008 years ago in the body of Jesus Christ. Again Paul refers to it in this way, “As in Adam ALL die, In Christ ALL Live”!

Enjoy The Kingdom Today

Peace
Geo

1.    I believe: Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
2.    I believe: It is hard to Enter through the narrow gate.
3.    I believe: That wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
4.    I believe: That small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
5.    I believe: That we should come out from them and be separate.
6.    I believe: All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.
7.    I believe: Unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 
8.    I believe: That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
9.    I believe: That He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
10.    I believe: This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.
11.    I believe: He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.
12.    I believe: For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.
13.    I believe: Jesus came into the world for Judgment.
14.    I believe: He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it.
15.    I believe: No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

That’s right I believe ALL of those things! Does that surprise you? Over the coming weeks I will take each one of the 15 things and give you my explanation of each one. In the mean time can you figure out how I can believe each one of these things? Because on the surface they seem to say just the OPPOSITE of what we say here on Bold Grace.

More Later

Peace

Geo

There have been a lot of questions asked lately as to what we believe here at Bold Grace. So I have a challenge for all who POST, READ OR COMMENT HERE. Go to the link below

http://www.glennkleinonline.com/webcast/guests/mwilliams.html

and listen to the webcast dated 6-18-2008. Then you will have the answer to some of the questions that you ask of us here at Bold Grace. The men on the show are Glenn and Mike. They are two good friends of Bold Grace and proclaimers of The Gospel of Grace & Peace. Then come back here AFTER you listen to the show in its entirety and tell us what your thoughts are.

Peace

Geo

It was said by one of our commenter’s here on Bold Grace that it is not wise to give the truth of the gospel of grace and peace to those who lack personal control and discipline.
It was said we that need to give them discipline and structure first and then freedom after they learn to control and discipline themselves?

If it is done in this manner then how is this taught in relation to the gospel?

And when is the truth about the freedom of the gospel revealed?

And when it is revealed to them and they understand that they have been lied to from the start how do you explain it to them?

And what do you do if while you are teaching them your discipline and control gospel they find the true gospel of grace & peace?

Do you explain to them that you lied to them for their own good?

Do you tell them that the true message of the cross is only for those who have progressed to a certain point in spiritually?

NO!!!!!
We at Bold Grace are not ashamed of the gospel any longer. We will not teach or agree with those who believe and teach that the message of Bold Grace is only for the more spiritually advanced.
But even in disagreement on this we acknowledge that those who give part of the truth are doing it out of their heartfelt belief that it is the only way. And we applaud them for saying it even if we don’t agree.

Peace 
Geo

In a recent comment Bruce said:

It wasn’t until I found this group of friends at boldgrace that I finally found true community. Even with the great distances between us, there is more love, friendship, compassion, and community than I’ve ever seen in any traditional church. The reason? We have no leaders, and have no need for any leaders. We’re simply a bunch of friends on a journey together, enjoying God’s peace and grace. No agendas, no power struggles, no funds to collect, no building to pay for, no need to build community (because it just “happened”). It’s not to say we’re without our challenges and pains, but they seem to be rare. This is probably the only true community of which I’ve ever been a part.

I feel the same exact way and I know Geo, Steve, and Mindy would also agree.  As I thought about what Bruce wrote it made me realize the reality of his last statement in my life also.  He said:  "This is probably the only true community of which I’ve ever been a part."  

So, what is it that makes our friendship so special?  I can only answer for myself but I believe that the very root of the answer is found in NOTHING.  By that I mean each of us came to this understanding of God’s very BOLD grace by ourselves as individuals and when we came together as a "COMMUNITY" here at boldgrace.com we did not bring anything else with it.  Bold Grace by its self plus nothing is our secret and I believe it is the great secret that makes the Gospel good news indeed.

Does that mean that we don’t share ideas that can improve our lives in the here and now?  Of course not.  We often share and talk about different books we are reading and how new things we are learning help us understand this life more clearly.  We also love hearing all the different comments that encourage us to keep this site open.  As Bruce said, we have No agendas, no power struggles, no funds to collect, no building to pay for, no need to build community (because it just “happened”).  We are only here to share this unbelievable peace that is a direct result of realizing this BOLD GRACE. 

Some may wonder why we so strongly reject adding anything to it and the reason is simple.  It is God himself who gives us the answer:

2 Cor 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Grace has taught me to accept myself the way God accepts me.  Grace has taught me to accept Bruce, Geo, Steve, Mindy, and everyone else exactly the way they are because it is GOD who takes our weaknesses and shows us His PERFECT POWER in spite of them.

Yes, we do believe we are perfect because we believe His Grace really does have POWER.  He doesn’t need us to do something or believe something for His Grace to Work.  Who ever comes to our site will not be asked to change anything in their life.  We will tell them they have always been loved, are loved now, and will always be loved by a God who truly loves without conditions. 

The amazing thing is that when people really get this message of Bold Grace it does have a powerful effect on their lives.  The security of an indestructible love has more power than all of man’s greatest wisdom.  Just knowing that God will never leave you, never forsake you, never abandon you, and that He will be standing by you even in your weakest of moments is a knowledge that is our greatest resource here on earth.  This LOVE from God comes without judgment or criticism.  This LOVE comes with freedom to choose our own way.  We can choose a painful life of striving to be good enough or we can choose a peaceful life by believing in this Bold Grace, but either way God will STAND with us.

Bold Grace plus nothing is the secret to true community.  God made us all in His image and I am so glad that my eyes can see the beauty of that image in myself and in the world around me. 

Rom 8:38-39 I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love which Christ Jesus our Lord shows us.  We can’t be separated by death or life, by angels or rulers, by anything in the present or anything in the future, by forces or powers in the world above or in the world below, or by anything else in creation.

The following verses tell us that God has taken complete responsibility for what we need to learn while on this earth.  Maybe that’s why He tells us to quit judging each other.

Heb 8:10-13 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.

  

Heb 10:16-18  "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.

    

1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

 

1 Thess 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

 

    

Matt 7:1-4 Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

  

1 Cor 4:3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.

Isn’t it a peaceful feeling that we do not have to rely on anyone to teach us what is most important?

And isn’t it a peaceful feeling to know it is not my job to judge others?

Wow, if the church quit teaching and judging, what would be left?  I guess they didn’t get that memo from God.

Gen 2:15-17 And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.  And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.