gospel in life {City} The World That Is

Disclosure: I'm not a beautiful writer or a writer by any means, math was always my favorite subject because its very black and white, wrong or right. I likes stores where you can buy a whole matching outfit and I did not inherit my mothers insanely creative gene.  However as my small group is studying Tim Keller's Gospel in Life I thought it would be a good time to start opening up a piece of my soul that I know is deep down there somewhere... oh yes, and hopefully keep me accountable to do my homework each week:) 

Religion vs. The Gospel

How many times do I bargain with God? While looking for a parking spot at Target I have actually found myself saying in my head, I'll park in the back this time so that next time I'm here with the kids God will pay me back with a spot right up front. God, if you could just heal this person I promise to always honor you. This kind of thinking is the thinking of our world, not God. I make God as small as me....I put the attributes of a sinful person like me who wants to be "payed back" onto the God of the universe. 

 How many times do I bargain with those I love? We never speak aloud of these unwritten rules, a good southern girl knows that would be impolite, but how resentful do I become when someone does not pay me back with the treatment I deserve?  Last time they needed a favor I was there, last time they were sick I visited, last time they had a bad situation in their family I called.  What kind of friend does not call me on my birthday? I'm sure I called her, I say in my head.  

This expectation is the opposite of grace, its the opposite of love and the opposite of what God teaches us. We teach our children to treat others how they want to be treated... not to treat others how they want to be treated and always expect to be treated the same way back. We would sound silly telling children that! So why do we grow resentful when this does not play out for us as adults. When we experience the grace filled relationship with Christ we want to do good out of a desperate feeling to show others the love of Christ though our actions. A deep empathy slowly replaces bitter or resentful feelings we may have had toward them. God helps us to begin seeing all others as Jesus sees all of us, BROKEN. We slowly recognize that we are all unworthy and we continue to extend grace ALWAYS because we know that ultimately God will never stop extending it to us. We sin, refuse to listen, and look out for number 1, and Jesus says, I love you always. We deserve nothing and God gave us His everything, His only son ...and this is the Gospel.

This week I pray God will continue to soften our hearts toward one another, causing us to forgive always, love people more and always try again. I pray that we don't treat each other the way we deserve to be treated but that we bless one another with our words and actions. Can you imagine if God treated us the way we deserve? "By this all people will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35



Thought for the week curtiosy of Tim Keller: 

" Religion: My identity and self worth are based mainly on how hard I work, or how moral I am- and so I must look down on those I perceive as lazy or immoral.
Gospel: My identity and self-worth are centered on the one who died for me. I am saved by sheer grace, so I can't look down on those who believe or practice something different from me. Only by grace am I what I am." -Tim Keller

Growing with you,
EE