BoldGrace

A friend once asked me why it would benefit someone to believe in the gospel of Grace and Peace… and that why I think the story of God’s grace upon the world through His Son which brought an unheard-of peace to all humanity…. is true? The conversation went something like this;

Friend: If this gospel is true, and "sets people free", won’t it free people from the motivation to do good works?

Me: Motivation to do good works through fear? That’s a good thing?

Friend: Yes, whatever motivates people to good works is good, even if it’s "fear".

Me: Fear only motivates people to self protection. When "self" is the motivating factor, the works are tainted with our own filthy (Paul’s description) agendas.

Friend: What’s wrong with self-protection, especially if it motivates people to do good for others?

Me: It is "self"ish. Doing good for others because of selfishness is really only doing good for ourselves. Fear only motivates us to protect ourselves, even if it "looks" like we’re doing good for others. Until we can remove fear from our hearts, and live free to experience the best of self and others, will we truly do good for others.

Friend: I think I see what you mean.

Me: I’m not sure you really can. Until one has experienced that incredible freedom, even for a moment, it is probably impossible to comprehend.

Friend: How can you experience that freedom?

Me: It’s simple, really. Just let yourself believe that the Work of the Cross of Christ brought redemption, in one short instant, to all the world. Let yourself imagine that God, through the Cross of Christ, released His mercy and love to all the world, once and for all, whether you believe it or not! Let yourself soak in the wonder of His righteousness, which He placed on all humanity, including you… whether you believe it or not! Let yourself float in the assurance of God’s message of Forgiveness, that it is un-earnable, no matter what you do, but has been freely given to all, including you, whether you believe it or not!

Friend: I thought the Bible says that you must believe?

Me: You will never know what you truly believe until you give yourself permission to not believe. The problem is, you believe that God is generally displeased with you, and only through your actions (believing what you’ve been told you have to do to please God), can you "get right with God". Well, I say that’s a bunch of crap! It’s not up to you to get right with God… just give yourself permission to understand that God… got right with you! That’s what the Cross was all about, and that’s what will set your mind free!

Friend: But, if I am free from fearing God, won’t I do all kinds of bad stuff?

Me: Why would you even imagine that to be true? The gospel of grace and peace frees us from our fears, doubts, guilt, shame, and worry… so that we can truly be who we were meant to be! God didn’t create you to be "bad", but the pain that you let creep into you life causes you to dwell on hopelessness, suffering, and hurting are pushing you, manipulating you, and controlling you. It’s those things you are fighting against, and every time you are defeated in that fight, it adds to your pain. It’s those things that cause you to want to do "bad" things. When we are set free from our pain, we enter a Life of peace, and in that place, there is no need to hurt ourselves and others (do bad stuff). Love spills out of you into a world that responds to love, and in that exchange, good things happen!

Friend: So, pain causes us to do bad things?

Me: Not necessarily. But pain, along with worry, sorrow, hopelessness, and despair, certainly add to the "burdens" that rob us of life. And I’m not talking about physical pain, I’m speaking of the spiritual pain that runs deep in our souls… that longing for peace with God that seems so impossible, and so unreachable. Our culture has taught us that righteousness is a gift from God, but we need to do something to take possession of that gift… CRAP! NO WAY! In the spiritual sense, there is nothing we can do to receive the gift. It is in us, right now, and there is nothing you can do to get it, or to lose it. If you will allow yourself to think this way, it will change your life, whether you believe it or not!

Friend: I’m not sure I can think that way. I’ve been told all my life that I’m a sinner, and I need to get right with God. It seems like that will always plague me, and hold me in fear.

Me: Well so be it! You can live in fear all your life and miss out on some of its most spectacular aspects… but you’ll still be OK. Don’t worry about it. Maybe a fullness of Peace isn’t in the cards for you. Maybe you don’t really need it. Maybe you can suffer through with the nagging fear that God will, at some point, judge you "unworthy" of relationship. Maybe you will drive yourself crazy trying to gain God’s acceptance, and finally give up. That, my friend, is the best thing that will ever happen to you. Maybe then, you can finally realize His unconditional love for you, and begin to enter the Heavenlies and experience that "abundance" of life that you hear about.

Friend: But, I feel like I have an abundance of life now. Things are pretty good between God and me. Why should I change the way I think about God?

Me: Good point! If what you have is working for you… super! I’m not concerned about your etermal destiny, because I know you are included in God’s reconcilation of the world, whether you believe it or not, and whether you want it or not. I’m not worried for your future, but compassion drives me to be concerned about your "present". My heart’s desire is to see you wildly happy, and content beyond understanding.

I posted this back in 2006 and after listening to it again I thought it a good one for everyone to take into this weekend Give it a LISTEN

I have been lurking the past few weeks and have not responded or posted any thoughts here on Bold Grace. But after reading the conversation and comments on Cliff’s post titled “ Blessed Are The Pure In Heart” I decided to make this a post of it’s own and not a comment on that post. So here goes………………

John T. writes:
 Kevin
What happens to your mind and spirit when you’ve drifted from God and how do you get it back? Do you repent? Which I believe means to change your mind

GEO Responds:

John T. there in reality is nothing to “get back” as you term it. But if you want to repent or “change your mind” then go ahead. The problem comes in when we try and make others do the same in order to “feel clean” before God.

John T. writes:
      I notice one thing about BOLD GRACE the site. I think you guys are terrific and you try your best to share the love of God amongst us. But very definitely there is still huge resentment towards the Church as you see it.

GEO Responds:

John T. statements such as this… 
“But very definitely there is still huge resentment towards the Church as you see it”.
Are your opinion and we respect it as such. The same way what we say here are our opinions and they are not to bind anyone to believe as we do. Nor are they meant to silence any thought or speech. As far as judgment of the church goes why should we not judge the church? The judgment talked about in the New Testament writings was, we are not to Judge another persons Redemption, Salvation or Acceptance before God. But we are encouraged in the New Testament writings to Judge when a wrong is done to another. And the Church has PLENTY to be judged for in that area. But while we at Bold Grace may Judge the actions & deeds of Institutions and People NEVER ONCE have we nor will we judge anyone’s Righteousness, Holiness, Redemption, Salvation or Acceptance by God! We believe those in the Church who are doing GREAT damage to others are Righteous, Holy and Redeemed! Do they believe the same of us? My experience has been NO! In fact most people still in that system, at least the majority of the ones that I have encountered since leaving it (organized religion) have said just the opposite and view us here at Bold Grace as unbelieving heretics who will burn in hell, while we believe they are Righteous, Holy, Acceptable and without spot before God! Do you really think they believe the same of us?

John T. writes:
After all that does seem to me to be quite self-centered, don’t ya think?

GEO Responds:

John T.,
Do you believe that we are in Christ and He is in us, which I do? If so then self-centeredness would be Christ centeredness would it not?

GEO Responds:

John T.,
When your wife said this:
 “If the people on this site were truly immersed in their understanding of the love of God, they wouldn’t waste their time judging the Church and how it creates Fear in everyone”.
She as you previously did was stating her opinion. And again the church is indeed in need of judging! (My opinion!) Again please never think that we here at Bold Grace are judging anyone’s Righteousness, Holiness, Redemption, Salvation or Acceptance by God. Again I say that in the NT writings it says we are to judge when another has been wronged. As a matter of fact Paul says we should be able to do just that! And the world is full of people who have been wronged by that system. And we here at Bold Grace will always speak against what we see as wrong in religious systems while NEVER once judging another’s Righteousness, Holiness, Redemption, Salvation or Acceptance by God.

GEO Responds:

John T.,
You wife was curious about this:
 Why are you are centered so much on Fear itself as a topic?

I cannot speak for others that are a part of Bold Grace but for me as I see it the topic of fear is the one most used by those so-called leaders in organized religion today. It is used to extort and extract money, time & labor from those under the so-called care of pastors, and leaders. That is why I speak of it and against it. Speaking against it sets the captives free.

John T. writes:
Anyways I like reading what you guys have to say and just enjoy bantering, it helps me grow in my faith.

GEO Responds:

If the bantering helps you grow in your faith John T. then our writings here at Bold Grace are a complete and utter failure for you! Because our whole focus here at Bold Grace is NOT to help you or anyone else grow in your faith! But to assist you and all who come to Bold Grace in coming to the complete and utter end of your personal faith & belief in God and Jesus Christ! Then and only then can you embrace the Faith of God that is IN Jesus the Christ. And when a person leaves behind the doctrines of Christ as Paul said and then embraces the Faith Of God that is in Jesus the world for that person takes on a new order and EVERYTHING changes!

But then again I very well could be full of crap! Hahaha!

John T., if I were a praying person (which I am not, because ALL of my prayers were fulfilled at The Cross) I would pray that you and others who visit here and indeed in the whole world for that matter would lose ALL of your and it’s personal Faith and Belief in God and Jesus! And that you would discover The Faith of God that is in Christ! A Faith that makes ALL People Righteous, Holy, Redeemed & Accepted by God regardless of their acceptance of Him or belief in Him!

Thanks Again John T. for adding a different viewpoint and helping us examine what we believe about God. But the most important belief is what God believes about us not what we believe about Him. And what He believes about us is that we are ALL Righteous, Holy and without spot or blemish regardless of our words actions or deeds. Because He sees Jesus His Son when He looks at His Creation! Now that is THE GOOD NEWS! News so Good even Christians for the most part do not believe it.

God is not "ticked off" with you. He never has been. He never will be. He is not judging your activities or your attitudes. He has already judged them 2000 years ago on Jesus. And Jesus took all of the Father’s judgment once and for all.

Attention K-Mart Shoppers (and everyone else) God has not only made available the all-time deal, redemption and salvation, but He has already paid for all of it for you and checked you out! You’ve been approved. Enjoy

This just in……Jesus doesn’t go to church. The church is not a building on the corner (or anywhere else). Jesus and you are the church. And Jesus is in you. And you’re in Jesus. So, guess what? You’re always in church. Have a nice day. Isn’t it good to know the Truth?

This just in…..Don’t worry. Be Happy. When you die, you’ll go to Heaven. Why? Because you’re cool with God. Why? Because Jesus paid the price and vouches for your coolness with the Father. Good news, huh?!

News SO GOOD even christians DO NOT believe it!

Peace

Geo

I had a discussion this weekend about right and wrong choices or decisions. I told my wife that I no longer make decisions based on right or wrong but that my decisions are based on what is beneficial for me, or my loved ones based on my current knowledge of the subject at the time. Right or Wrong based decisions can cause us to delay or postpone decisions that need to be made. Not only that but when a decision is made based on “right or wrong” and that decision turns out to be ”WRONG” it causes us to become fearful and doubtful of our next decision. Then if that next decision over time proves to be the “wrong” one we lose more confidence and a downward spiral begins to develop until we have no confidence at all in our decisions and choices. But if we base our decisions on what is beneficial or not to us, then if that decision turns out to not be beneficial to us we can change our decision to one that is beneficial based on the gained current knowledge. My wife insist that it is just semantics but I think it is so much more than that. Basing decisions on what is Right or Wrong is a product of eating from the Tree of The Knowledge of Good and Evil. And it paralyzes the mind and spirit of mankind. My hope for you is that you would begin to base your decisions in life on what is beneficial and no longer on Right or Wrong. I leave you with the words of the Apostle Paul, “Everything is permissible for me —but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything”

Selah

Geo

I was reading some of the “talking points” Jesus spoke through the bible, and it keeps occurring to me that much of what he said wasn’t a “hope” for the future or some "command" for faithfulness, as scholars teach, but in actuality… near-term prophecy! Prophecy that manifested in the Cross of Christ!

Examples:

“that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee….”

Religious scholars will tell you that this is the hope for the future… when Jesus returns. But, I say this was a prophetic word of what would soon be (and did happen). We keep looking to the future for deliverance when we should be living in the present “of what is”. The Cross of Christ was God’s revelation to all mankind regarding our condition - here and now! It is not “what will be” but “what is!”

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he does not have the power to see the Kingdom of God.”

This wasn’t a command, or some sort of requirement, or even proof of proper belief (as the religious leaders would have you think), it is prophecy. Jesus was pointing to what was about to happen on the Cross! The entire world was “born again” all in one amazing, bold act of kind mercy on the the Cross of Christ! Believing it, or not, doesn’t make it so… having faith, or not, doesn’t change the fact… striving for it, or not doesn’t bring it about… nothing can change what happened. Nothing can change what was revealed through that incredible demonstration of God’s love. Nothing can undo what the Father has done!

The church keeps missing the mark, and will continue to be powerless and ineffective. They will continue to build their earthly kingdoms instead of choosing to see the kingdom they already own!

As I was driving to work this morning I was thinking about a question that was asked here on Bold Grace. Here is that question: “Just curious, do you need Jesus to have the Kingdom of God or will other ways suffice?”

Cliff answered, “yes”. Now I am not sure what Cliff was answering yes to but here is my take.

According to the writers of the gospels Jesus said this, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”.
Also the writer of Acts wrote: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
I BELIEVE BOTH! Does that shock you? To many who read here at Bold Grace that may come as a SURPRISE! Let me explain.

Back to my ride to work this morning. As I was driving along the thought came to me that the road I was driving on is the same one I drove on out in San Francisco, California back in October of last year (2007). But how could that be the road I was driving on this morning was in White Oak, Pennsylvania! Here is how……… ALL ROADS are connected! It may be by another road but in reality it is the same road! Men may call the roads by different names but the road is the SAME ROAD! It also occurred to me that ALL ROADS lead to the SAME PLACE! How you may ask do all roads lead to the same place? Because ALL roads take us to our destination. Then it came to me that there are many modes of transportation on these roads. Some trucks, some cars, some motorcycles, some bicycles, some walkers, some skate boarders, and some even ride scooters.  So how does all of this relate to the question of is Jesus the only way? Well here goes my feeble attempt to explain.

The ONE ROAD that mankind travels is Jesus Christ. Now how many of you have ever traveled a road and did not know the name of that road? All of us right?
You see the Old Testament Prophets spoke of a Redeemer coming that would make a straight road to God. One who would “stand in the gap” as a bridge, i.e. road. I travel over roads and bridges daily that take me to my destination without ever knowing the name of that bridge or road. But yet it still gets me to my destination.

So if Jesus is the ONE ROAD then what are the vehicles that travel that road? What are those different modes of transportation? They are the self and spiritual ways that mankind travels. Some are Atheist, some are Christian, some are Muslim, some are Hindu, and some are (fill in the blank). Now my question is this…” does a mode of transportation say a car or truck know the name of the road it travels?  No! Does that car or truck not knowing the name of the road stop it from getting to its final destination? No! So what is the final destination of mankind? Home with the Creator of the Universe.  You see just because I drive on the Jesus Road in a vehicle called Christianity in order to get to my destination it does not mean my brother who drives on the Jesus Road in a Muslim vehicle will not get to his/her destination! ALL are driving on the same road! It is called JESUS! He is THE WAY! He is The Path in the wilderness. He is The Light that Lights EVERY MAN that comes into this world.

He is THE ONLY ROAD Available! There are no others! But there are many modes of transportation on that road. So when you see your Muslim brother on the road say hello and wish him peace. When you see your Christian sister say hello and wish them peace. When you see the Hindu child wish them peace. When you see the Atheist wish them peace. Because they are all traveling the same road as you only in different vehicles. That ROAD is JESUS!

Peace to you my Fellow Traveler
Geo

As I was reading tonight I was once again reminded by King David concerning the nature of God.  Understanding our Creator is a task that will never be accomplished (at least by me) but I can understand the most basic things that are needed for feeling good about my journey here on earth.  Allow me to quote David:

Ps 130  Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.  If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?  But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

David makes it clear that if God were to keep a record of our sins no one would be left standing, but he doesn’t stop with that, he also makes it clear that we can not only count on His love but that His love will never fail us.  And then he tells us why that love won’t fail——HE HIMSELF WILL REDEEM US FROM ALL OUR SINS. 

You see, the only possible way that any of us could ever rest our head at night in peace is to know that God is NOT counting on us to accomplish His unfailing LOVE.  Sometimes I really get tired at those who attack me for giving God all the credit due him.  Why do so many christians fight so hard against this idea that God is the Potter and we are the clay?  Does the clay have any say whatsoever concerning how the Potter will fashion it? 

I don’t suppose I will ever understand why we humans make so many stupid choices as we journey along.  I am 56 and still find myself saying and doing things I know to be wrong and hurtful to others.  I am always sorry about it and yet at the end of each new day the only thing I’m sure about is how grateful I am that God doesn’t keep a record of my wrongs, always loves me, and my redemption is never in question.  Those three simple things are what allows me to get up each new day with a great desire to be all that I can be.  

So, as I lay my head down tonight I will utter some silent words into the darkness——"Thank you Lord for loving me in spite of my poor performance, and teach me Lord to love others the way you have loved me."

Talking to a friend the other day, he said to me, "I want to love people like Jesus loved people."

I said, "no you don’t."

He said, "why do you say that?"

I said, "because I know you, and I know you aren’t willing to lay down your life for your friends. That is the ultimate act of love - especially when you think that Jesus did it for no other reason than love. He wasn’t saving a drowning victim of a shipwreck, He wasn’t saving a child standing on the tracks of a speeding train… He did it to save all of Creation. That is a love that none of us can ever measure up to. But it doesn’t matter. He knows we can’t measure up to His mission, yet He demonstrated His love us in the most remarkable way. He was willing to give up His life for His friends (all of Creation), even in the midst of their failures."

We chatted about the idea some more, and he said, "knowing that Jesus’ love was that great opens my heart to love others more. It’s not about loving like He loved, but awakening to the depths of His love for us. Just thinking about it is changing me."

I said, "there you go. Love isn’t something we have to do because we want to be like Jesus. But it is what we do when we understand the heart of Jesus. If we truly know what happened those 2000 years ago, our hearts will melt, and our minds will change."

That’s what repentance (the changing of our minds) is all about. It’s not something we do to be found acceptable, or to feel like we’re somehow complying to an unimaginable requirement, it’s something that happens when we realize the enormity of Christ’s love for us. If we believe Christ’s love is that great, our minds will change. Maybe the writers of the NT should not have said, "repent and believe", but "believe and repent"… if you believe the Gospel, your mind will repent (change) about the way you think about life, love, and unity.

If you believe it, nothing else will matter. If you don’t, nothing else will make any difference. Repent all you want, it won’t change you a bit. It is only a work of desperation to find salvation… a work of your own. And nothing you do will change anything. Repenting won’t bring "belief", but believing will bring repentance. If you believe that the work of the Cross of Christ was the final revelation of God to prove His heart of peace toward His creation, your heart will be filled with His love, and your mind will see the completeness of His work, and will be saved.

All glory to the Creator, who has made peace with us through the Work of His Cross!

Happy Holidays to One and ALL!

This one is for ALL of my Grace Buddies!

I hope you all got what you did NOT deserve! And that you did NOT get what you DID deserve!

Because I DID!

Peace

Geo

P.S. Here is one more place you can find me  grogee.multiply.com/

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