Uncategorized Murray McLellan on 06 Nov 2008 08:09 am
Are we a “grace” fellowship?
Examination and correction as we move forward is not just a good idea in driving, but also in the life of our church - lest we drift and lose sight of our purpose in Christ. Tim Chester provides us with some markers to help us check our course. Please do more than give this a quick glance. Examine our church (us) in light of our call as Jesus’ sent ones (John 17:17-20). Let’s make the necessary corrections in repentance and faith following Jesus - the great Head of the Christian church.
Are we a community of grace?
| Communities of Performance | Communities of Grace |
| talk about grace, but communicate legalism | people can see grace in action |
| unbelievers can’t imagine themselves as Christians | unbelievers feel like they can belong |
| don’t attract broken people | attract broken people |
| the world is seen as threatening and ‘other’ | people are loved as fellow-sinners in need of grace |
| conversion is superficial (people are called to respectable behaviour) | conversion is radical (people are called to transformed affections) |
| people are secretly hurting | people are open about their problems |
| people see faith and repentance as actions that took place at conversion | people see faith and repentance as daily activities |
| the gospel is for unbelievers | the gospel is for both unbelievers and believers |
on 06 Nov 2008 at 8:48 am 1.Julie said …
OUCH! Yup! This needs more than just a quick glance; it needs some serious self examination done with a humble and repentant heart. It feels to me that we can and perhaps do lean on the performance side a little too often. I suppose it is part of the temptations of this world.
But whatever the cause, may we strive, through prayer and self examination, to be a community of Grace.
on 06 Nov 2008 at 11:18 am 2.Jan said …
Thank you Murray. The thing I wonder about is if people are “secretly hurting”… Why is it that it is easier for some to share their burdens, worries and concerns with people outside of Grace Fellowship rather than within it? Do we present ourselves as hard, judgemental and uncaring? My self examination is about whether I “talk” grace, kindness and gentleness, but if others see something else in my life that hinders them from being willing to share. Is my love for the family shallow, so that in reality I am more important to myself than others are important to me. I hope that as I examine myself, both as an individual and as part of Grace Fellowship, that I will not find this to be the case, but if I do,that my attitude will be one of immediate repentance.
I do want to say to you my brothers and sisters, that I have love for each of you. Please help me if I am blind to my own sins. I long to be more like Christ, and I long for Grace Fellowship to be a community of grace.
on 06 Nov 2008 at 6:43 pm 3.Mikey said …
Ouch… Excuse me while I remove the plank from my eye.
on 06 Nov 2008 at 7:05 pm 4.Kiley said …
Yep… I think that the Sword of the Spirit still has it’s amazing cutting power! We are a people who have been shown tremendous grace! Why do we have such trouble doing the same??? We who have been forgiven much, ought to love much! God is so patient and long-suffering toward us. May we continue to press toward the high and upward calling of Jesus Christ! (rather than get bogged down by the mucky slime of this world which is passing away). Lord, Let us become known in our community as loving, transparent, and gracious.