I’ve got this friend from Kentucky, we just call him Bullitt. Kind of rough around the edges, but solid at the core.
Struggling to emerge from Christian legalism in which he was reared, he offers pithy insight. Over Southern-fried lunch, he succinctly summed the typical three-point sermon he’s heard his whole life.
- God is Good.
- You’re Not
- Now, Quit it!
Sound familiar? I’ve endured some, myself. In fact, preached a few. Is it any wonder we nearly missed an entire generation? Not a very appealing message.
However, in knee-jerk reaction, I’m not sure the contemporary fluff some popular TV preachers spout is much better. Perhaps you have swallowed some.
- God is Good.
- So are You.
- Go for it!
If we’re not careful, raising a new generation on spiritual junk-food may produce pious pygmies. Great tasting, high energy; but stunted growth.
...So tell me, “Reverend”, where is the answer?....
Somewhere between oppressive guilt and cheap grace we discover spiritual authenticity. Somewhere between heartless condemnation and feckless commendation lies personal liberty. Somewhere between me working feverishly to please God, and God working feverishly to please me rests biblical maturity. (Take a sip of sweet tea, and ponder each of those.)
That elusive somewhere, is grounded in God’s Word; all of it, not just conveniently selected verses. Genuine disciples seek Jesus’ face, not merely His hand. The redemptive work of the Holy Spirit takes time to delve deeply into the heart of a believer. When you grasp the fact, or more accurately, are grasped by the fact, that God relentlessly loves you; you then experience the exacting joy of loving Him back. That, my brother and sister, is true eternal security.
...Pass the biscuits.