It's me, mike hillebrecht

Here is the thought I began this study on: Many talk and teach about grace but few, very few, are comfortable with the price.

Grace is reciprocal. That is how the Greeks viewed it even when Solomon was dedicating his temple. So this isn’t some new facet that Paul created when he used the word in all of his letters. He drew on its history with a people who lived daily within a form of grace. They knew of the price grace established in their lives with men but now, God steps in and turns the tables on them.

So are you comfortable with the price of the Father turning the tables on you? What does this mean? Paul tells us in his second letter to the Corinthians that God was in Christ on the cross reconciling the world to himself. Yet the price that many don’t find uncomfortable is that God did not charge their trespasses, their faults, their slip ups, their offenses, their sins against them. No harm, no foul.

The tables turn when retribution no longer is the model, the representation of who we always thought God was. The price of grace in this area requires us to abandon our idol of a vengeful God for the Father who Jesus showed us; a loving, caring Father who desires above all else to be in fellowship with us.

Sure we talk about fellowship happening to us, but then we exact vengeance in some small insignificant way and think that were just following the pattern God showed in the bible so we’re justified. The price of grace sits comfortably until we can’t return the “favor” of displeasure.

Are you comfortable with the price of offering every cheek knowing another slap is coming? Is the price of realizing all of us stand equal through Christ, even the worst of us, comfort to your soul? Can you find the price of comfort knowing your pound of flesh demanded will never materialize?

The price of grace is more than we’ve ever considered if all we’ve ever considered was freedom from sin.

Over the past few months I have been involved in an intensely deep study on yet another facet of grace. I’m not prepared yet to reveal the wealth I’ve discovered, but I have seen this stream of thought trailing around that I wish to develop over the next few posts. Here is the thought: Many talk and teach about grace but few, very few, are comfortable with the price.

What does that mean to you, comfortable with the price? I recognize that we are saved by grace and that it is a free gift from God so that none may be able to boast. But does this statement relate to your comfort of the price? We had a late night salesman on our TV whose tagline was, “Free is a very good price!” But I don’t think that this is one of those things he would say this about.

In my book Grace for Shame I introduced one of the primary meanings of the Greek word, charis, which is transcribed in the bible as grace, as the nature of reciprocal giving. This was one of the concepts that Paul drove home again and again in all of his letters because it had such a rich history in the culture of the people he was speaking to. When he spoke of charis, everyone knew precisely what he meant, no translation required. They understood what grace cost and they were comfortable with the price. How about you?

Charis, or grace, is reciprocal giving. Christ gave his life so that you may live. But pay particular attention to what I’m about to say. This claim, Christ gave his life so that you may live, only speaks of one side of the transaction. Your part, your reciprocal act is the price. Now before you think that I’m saying there is a whole host of actions that you must undertake to make this work, let me make one thing very clear right from the beginning:

THERE IS NOT ONE ACTION YOU CAN TAKE OR ACCOMPLISH TO SECURE WHAT CHRIST HAS ALREADY DECLARED IS FINISHED.

So now are you comfortable with the price? Many aren’t. They believe that they must do something in order for finished to be, well…finished. They must read their bible more, or offer their time to caring for the… (fill in the blank)…or they must attend more prayer meetings, do devotions, sing in the choir, read more bible, attend a men, woman or couples retreat, pray more, read the bible more, and a whole host of other religious activities that will move them higher, closer, but never satisfied in what HE already finished.

Are you comfortable with the price of not doing something in order to be who you already are? Are you comfortable with not looking for others to approve of your lifestyle so that you can be who you already are? Are you comfortable with the price of being seen outside of your circle of friends enjoying the company of someone different? Are you comfortable with the price of missing church to be with a friend who can’t attend? Are you comfortable with the price of not being a church follower in order to be a disciple of Christ?

Grace is not a comfortable message for many people to hear because the price is too great. I’ll look at some more of these in the days ahead…

Here is the big question: What is the purpose of it all?

There are a number of people talking about what is God’s original intention for man. Almost without fail, they link that intention to the following verse:

Genesis 1:28 KJVR
(28) And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.

Their thinking is that the kingdom of God is all about subduing and dominion, as all of our myths about the nature of kingdoms lead us to believe, so this obviously is the foundation of our purpose here on this earth. Original intention is dominion-based. It is a comfortable doctrine that we can relate to since we see it being fulfilled in nation after nation in a variety of ways, right? Subduing one faction while giving rise to another; disposing one dictator while propping up one more acceptable; enabling one party while disabling the present one. This has been the model for eons and our religious structures have been there all along tending to both sides of the matter at the same time. It begs one to ask the question, what is the purpose of it all?

What if the religious structures we have relied upon to soothe our souls in the midst of competing desires has been looking at the original intention from the wrong perspective all along? Would that mean that our paradigm for kingdoms would be wrong also? Allow me to offer to you a picture of the original intention that maybe you haven’t considered to be valid. It comes from these verses:

Ephesians 1:4-6 KJVR
(4) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
(5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
(6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Now I’m not too shy to say that the phrase “before the foundations of the world” seems like a long time ago, even before the events recorded in Genesis. So it would appear to me that the original intention of mankind has nothing to do with dominion but everything to do with establishing relationship. As a matter of fact, it would appear that this relationship business appears to be a issue that gives the Father a whole lot of pleasure. It even appears that the Father has pretty much determined that no matter how messed up we can make it in our life or the life of others, He has already fixed it so that none of us will ever be able to be left out of this relationship.

What does this kind of thinking do to our paradigm of kingdoms? Paul seemed to understand the significance of this in these verses:

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 KJVR
(18) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
(19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
(20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Ambassadors are people who represent kingdoms. In the old mind-set they are agents of dominion terrorizing nations through forcing the will of the countries they represent upon other less favored nations. This leads to wars and rumors of wars to spread across the globe. These representatives have no desire to maintain relationships except for how it would align with the interests of the kingdom they hold allegiance to. Remember, when one party recedes and another rises, ambassadors simply change their mind, or repent, to meet the new vision to an old paradigm.

Ambassadors of reconciliation are not concerned with subjugation. Their entire focus is on making one whole in their relationship with the Father as well as with others. They follow the model of Jesus as a mediator to bring healing to fractured lives while drawing upon the grace of the Father to impart a new vision of unity in the union of an eternal family. These agents of the kingdom of God embrace the mantle of servanthood through grace and love. They don’t practice the golden rule simply because, despite what they believe will or won’t work, whatever actions it takes, even loving their enemies, must be followed to secure wholeness and harmony.

So if the question above arises within you, as I know it will time after time, realize that you are being tested to either accept dominion by subjection or authority through wholeness. Grace operates in both however the path of least resistance often requires the greater attention to maintain the status quo.

These days it appears that everyone is trying to getting on the grace band wagon (with the possible exception of a number of people who are opposed and you know who they are.) It seems that “grace” is the hot topic of the moment despite the fact that Paul has been proclaiming it for almost 2,000 years now! But that is beside the point. The point is: are you really that versed in grace?

I’ve been on this journey since 2010 and believe me, when I think I’ve reached the last thing to know about grace, a sudden onslaught of new revelation overwhelms me. If you’re sitting in your easy chair thinking you’ve reached the peak simply because you don’t live under the law or that you’re free to do anything you damn well please, honey, you’re still in spiritual training pants. (If this type of language offends you, Pampers then are more your fit.)

If you’re a grace guy, let me ask you how you’ve come to deal with the following issues in your theology?

How inclusive have you become? Who do you still look down upon? What people group have you recently riled against?

Do you still think that God hates certain people?

How have you reconciled the concept of an eternal separation from love known as hell?

How have you dealt with the satan and its influence in your sphere of influence?

Have you finally recognized that there are multiple perspectives in the scriptures that either accept or deny grace?

Have you ever wondered who truly wrote your favorite book in the bible?

How are you dealing with the sacrifice of God in Jesus?

What is the one book of the bible that you wish wasn’t there because it has no purpose for being there?

Have you finally buried Adam?

How have you handled the understanding that the first church was known by either being comprised of Jewish Christian or Gentile Christians and rarely each being assembled together?

Have you decided to preach the message of Christ as Paul did or as Peter did?

Have you finally decide to refer to material out of the fourth gospel rather than the book of John?

How are you dealing with the first 11 chapters of Genesis as a depiction of God’s grace?

How is grace daily working for you in the face of a long term illness or infirmity?

Why would I ask such random questions? Truly, this has been, and still is my journey in grace. Some might think that these topics don’t warrant any answer. My belief, now after having uncovered most of the answers, is quite the opposite. My dilemma is that now understanding what I do, it is difficult to listen to those who profess to know the answers but their ignorance betrays them.

Let me assure you, I don’t feel superior for this understanding. I hunger still for greater understanding, but I also long for those who profess themselves to be grace guys to at least entertain one or two of these questions. Conversations would be so much more enjoyable.

hyper-
A prefix appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it meant “over,” usually implying excess or exaggeration ( hyperbole )
loan·word [lohn-wurd] noun
a word in one language that has been borrowed from another language and usually naturalized, as wine, taken into Old English from Latin vinum, or macho, taken into Modern English from Spanish.

Romans 5:20
(20) Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

According to an article in Charisma magazine on 6-28-2013 written by Joseph Mattera there are eight signs of a hyper-grace church that all believers need to be aware of. These signs are:

1. The preacher never speaks on sin.
2. The lead pastor never takes a cultural stand for righteousness.
3. The Old Testament is almost totally ignored.
4. People who lead immoral lives are allowed to teach and lead ministries.
5. The lead pastor speaks often against the institutional church.
6. The lead pastor preaches against tithing.
7. The lead pastor only preaches positive motivational messages.
8. Key members of the church are regularly living sinful live with impunity.

The defining characteristic in every hyper-grace church is antinomianism (anti means “against”; nomos means “law”). According to the author,

“This is the belief that the moral law of the Old Testament has been done away with and that, once we are in Christ, there is free grace in which we can almost live any way we want since we are not under the Law but under grace. Thus, according to this view, the Old Testament is not that important to read except for metaphors, types and symbols regarding the coming of Christ. The New Testament is all about grace and does away with the Old Testament Law!

I believe antinomianism is a dangerous trend in evangelicalism and is something we need to lovingly take a stand against with our brothers and sisters who espouse it.”

Another concern of the author is,

“Furthermore, many churches and preachers refuse to take a stand against sin and rarely if ever mention the need for repentance or topics like hell and judgment. Many of these same churches allow people to minister in music, as small group leaders and even as ministers with no personal accountability while looking the other way when they are living sexually immoral lives and regularly engaged in drunkenness!”

The conclusion of the article also reveals the author’s fear that a hyper-grace church is one step away from universalism, which is the belief that all people will eventually be saved, whether they believe the gospel or not; and also one step away from liberalism because of the increasing amount of Scripture which is being gutted because it is culturally offensive (i.e. husbands being head of household, views on homosexuality, ect.).

Throughout the body of the article the author cites a number of New Testament scriptures from Paul’s writings, Matthew, Jude and John as evidence that the Old Testament moral law (Ten Commandments) are still valid for believers as a means to living their new life in Christ. However, are these citations accurately portraying the nature of the new covenant believer? I do not believe so and I will offer my beliefs according to what I have found in my studies of the scriptures.

Foundation

Every argument must begin somewhere. The text of the bible is a story of two people groups: The Children of Israel and those who aren’t, commonly called in the New Testament as the Gentiles. The Apostle Paul was possibly the most educated Hebrew scholar of his day, yet God, rather than making him the one to convert the Children of Israel to the Way, makes him the apostle to the Gentiles. Here is Paul’s understanding of the Gentiles relationship to God found in Ephesians 2.

Ephesians 2:11-13
(11) Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
(12) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

In verse 12 Paul clearly states that Gentiles were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel. This means that they didn’t have any heritage or bloodline within them that could be traced to Abraham. Additionally, the Gentiles were strangers to the covenants of promise that Israel had with God. These two truths applied to all Gentiles throughout the world then, and still do to this day.

I believe it is safe to say that 99% of the church today is a Gentile church because it does not have a natural bloodline with Israel. Having made that claim, I also state that the same percentage of the church should not have the same “covenants of promise” that Israel presently shares. Only by believing in the finished works of Christ are these Gentile churches brought into the spiritual family of Abraham because they then resemble how Abram believed God and was accounted as righteous.
However, today, many Gentile churches have elected to enter into the same arrangement Israel has with God by thinking they can come under the Law while declaring to being saved by grace. Just like water and oil, grace and law don’t mix.

These “Law churches” have adopted a portion of the Law as a guide to keep themselves in right standing with God. Unfortunately, in doing this, they have ignored the commandment which clearly declares that if you follow just one commandment you are required to follow all the commandments. Believing that following a set of procedures will bring them closer to God they miss what Paul states in the next few verses in Ephesians 2.

Ephesians 2:13-19
(13) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
(14) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
(15) Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
(16) And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
(17) And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
(18) For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
(19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Verse 15 clearly states that the law of commandments contained in ordinances was abolished in the flesh of Christ on the cross. In the Greek, the term “abolish” means to render entirely useless. This doesn’t mean in a future date but it was already done once for all. The enmity spoken of here is the division that the Law created between the children of Israel and the Gentiles making one group close to God at the exception of the other. Now through the finished works of Jesus the ordinances that created the separation between these two groups has been rendered useless bringing both groups together so that they may have access to the Father by the one Spirit. This access is not based on a rule or law but on a belief that Jesus accomplished this.

What about the Law?

Acts 15 describes a pivotal point in the development of the first church. A group of men who believed that it was vital to be circumcised according to the Law in order to be saved ran into Paul and Barnabas who had been teaching the Gentiles for years that they weren’t required to follow the Law of Moses to be saved. Both of these parties came to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles in order to determine who was correct. After Paul informs the apostles of the great work that is occurring through the Spirit with the Gentiles, the apostle Peter makes the following statement:

Acts 15:7-11
(7) And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
(8) And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
(9) And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
(10) Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
(11) But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Notice in Verse 10 that Peter clearly states that the children of Israel were never able to bear the yoke of the law that they operated from. But they believed just like the Gentiles did that through the grace of Jesus they were saved. After this speech, James makes this declaration:

Acts 15:13-21
(13) And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
(14) Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
(15) And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
(16) After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
(17) That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
(18) Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
(19) Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
(20) But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
(21) For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

Having heard all the arguments from both sides, James decides how the Gentiles should function as a church body. Take a good look at verse 20. Rather than stating that the Gentiles should follow the Law of Moses in all of their doings, James asks that they abstain from the pollution of idols, fornication, things strangled and from blood. These items were all found in the temple worship ceremonies that the Gentiles had come from in their various communities. There is no reference to following any of the commandments of the Law of Moses even in one ordinance.
Obviously, if the Law was to be a vital component of the church James or any of the other apostles would have clearly made reference to it as a parting instruction to Paul and Barnabas. They however did no such thing as Paul explained in Galatians 2.
Paul, while called to the Gentiles, had great concern for the children of Israel relating to the new covenant conditions. Here is his desire expressed in Romans 10.

Romans 10:1-4
(1) Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
(2) For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
(3) For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
(4) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Notice that he plainly states that Christ is the end of the law. Righteousness, or right standing with God, was not something they could earn from their works but was solely found in the belief of the finished work of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 1:30 Paul also states that besides righteousness God has made Christ to be wisdom, sanctification and redemption. These additional attributes were also defined in the Law through its ordinances particularly found in the sin offerings.
These offerings had been given yearly since they were instituted in the Law of Moses. Yet in Hebrews 10 we find that Christ, the last sin offering, sat down at the right hand of the Father having perfected all those that were sanctified.
What then is the purpose of the Law? In Romans 3 Paul tells us what the law function truly is.

Romans 3:19-24
(19) Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
(20) Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
(21) But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
(22) Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
(23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
(24) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Verse 20 tells us that the law gives us the knowledge of sin and that no deeds accomplished under it will be justified before God. But notice that in the next verse that a righteousness without the law has been manifested in believing in Christ. As you move into the fifth chapter of Romans, Paul claims in 5:20 that the law entered so that the offenses may increase. Relying on the law only makes the offense increase more and more. So why the law?
While Paul says in Romans 7:12 that the law is holy, just, and good, he also declares in 1 Timothy,

1 Timothy 1:9-10
(9) Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
(10) For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

To further drive home his point on the worthiness of the law for the Gentile church Paul makes his argument in the 2nd chapter of Colossians.

Colossians 2:16-23
(16) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
(17) Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
(18) Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
(19) And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
(20) Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
(21) (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
(22) Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
(23) Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

The items listed in the opening of this passage were clearly defined practices of the Law and yet Paul says that they are the shadow of what is now real. He also claims that to continue in these observances may look good, some of them are the doctrines of men and do nothing but satisfy the flesh.

The Response

So how do we answer the questions and concerns of a hyper-grace movement?

1. Is there such a term as hyper-grace found in scripture? “Hyper” in the Greek means excessive or over abundance. Romans 5:20 clearly describes that where sin abounded, grace much more abounded. So yes, it is scriptural.

2. Is it a doctrine of antinomianism? Yes, it is the end of the Law of Moses. Christ is the end of the Law. However, every new covenant believer has the law and commandments of God written on their new heart. It is not the 613 laws of Moses, but it is the laws that each believer is responsible to keep as God reveals it to them through the inward working of the Holy Spirit.

3. Is this new doctrine of grace leaning towards universalism? God so loved the world… So how do you interpret “universal” if you don’t make it mean everyone? Does the gospel require people to believe? The term “Gospel” in the original Greek means news that is almost too good to be true. It is a term of hyperbole to the Greek thinking. At some point to be called a believer, you have to make the conscience choice to believe something which sounds too good to be true. That is the act of faith which pleases the Father.

4. When were the issues of sin dealt with? When a person becomes “saved” or at the cross, 2,000 years ago, or even before that? If all our past sins have been dealt with on the cross, what about our future sins? Don’t they fall under the same jurisdiction? If God doesn’t remember my sins, why should I, or even the preacher?

5. If Christ is our righteousness, how does a culture display that without quoting a law that has been abolished? Each believer is as righteous as they will ever be so there is nothing that can be added to make us be more. Standing up for a cause may have the appearance of wisdom but is it merely a doctrine of man that will change as quickly as the wind of public opinion blows. If the church is to take a stand for the morality of region they had better be following the first law of Christ within their own sphere of influence before they think they can create change in a broader community.

6. The Old Testament is not the New Testament. It depicts a shadow of what has already occurred. Is it relevant? If used to show how a people group couldn’t perform it requirements to be in right-standing with God, yes. To point out the nature of sin in non-believers, yes. As a tool to reinforce our identity as new believers, no. To show the new covenant types and shadows, yes. However, if people still don’t understand who they are in Christ, what his finished works are and what the love of the Father has done, why not just stay focused on the one quarter of the Bible that explains that to them.

7. Immoral people lead ministries. Behavior is not identity. Morality is not godliness. Grace teaches us to live godly lives (Titus 2:11-12). This means that we learn how to live with God inside of us, not living a moral lifestyle dictated from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Sin is a cancerous enemy that affects all. The Law clearly reveals that there is therefore none righteous, no not one. So who can be view from the eyes of law to be worthy to be in the ministry? We all, through grace, have been made ambassadors of reconciliation, even to the household of faith!

8. If a pastor, seeing the dichotomy between New Testament scripture and his active church life, speaks out against the “institutional” church, how is this pastor any different then Martin Luther or any of a number of past martyrs who raised a voice that made an incremental change in the direction for the present day “church?” One should not throw stones if one lives in glass houses, no matter how stained the glass is.

9. The lead pastor teaches against tithing. So what? Is it a requirement of the law? Is it? My question would be, if they preach against it, how are they meeting their monthly budget? If they really believe God to be the source of all their needs, and are seeing evidence of His provision, why not preach against an institutional act which has lost its relevance? Abram’s meeting with Melchezidek came long before the Law and for all appearances was a one-time act. Gentile churches don’t have a priestly family that is supported by the rest of the clan. We are all priests. So why aren’t all the members of the congregation receiving tithes? It all belongs to God, so do you really think that your 10% is going to influence Him?

10. If the Gospel of grace is really news that is almost too good to be true, who would want to sit in a meeting for any length of time listening to the opposite message? If you’re not getting people to respond, “this sounds too god to be true,” I would submit that you’re preaching another gospel and Paul has a few choice words for you in Galatians 1! You should be motivating the hell out of people not moving them into it!

11. Key members live sinful lives with impunity. Really? Are they eating bacon and shrimp cocktails while sipping margarita by the pool having told their pastor it was a couples retreat? Could it be that they actually went to another service on Saturday and didn’t feel obligated to go to the Sunday service too? What I mentioned in item 7 applies here too. But what’s the big deal anyway, next week is a confession service where I can be cleansed all over again and then go back to my own domain, right? If leadership is not willing to take action how is it any different from any Catholic organization who didn’t take care of its kids for a number of years. Should leadership be held to a higher order? Not if it’s going to keep them isolated from the people that they lead. Why not hold everyone to the same new covenant command: Love your neighbor as I have loved you. I know how much grace did for me and it’s obvious that you might not be as bad off as I was. So at least my level of God’s grace could deal with your problems!

The real problem that the hyper-grace detractors have is that they can’t control or modify the behavior of new covenant believers. They believe that no rules or laws mean that everyone is going to hell in a hand basket. There is no evidence of this in any of the New Testament writings. Is it possible that the greatest fear that these detractors have is that their style or method of leadership will be called into question as to whether what they claim to be from God actually is just a soothing of the flesh?

Every believer is called to minister the manifold grace of God. This means it will not look alike at any one time to every single person. Yes, believers have been called to a new liberty, a new freedom, which for better or worse is chaotic and unruly at times. This, however, is what draws people to look at what is going on and sets each of us apart from the world. I guess if you really have an issue with the grace revolution that is coming you need to go into countries of this world that have lived in oppression and see how it is transforming their lives and their culture to reach for new vistas in freedom.

This is what I believe and if you don’t that’s fine by me. I came by my belief because I studied myself to be approved. I only trust that you’ve made the same effort in your claim, and didn’t just come to your conclusions based on someone you simply heard or read. Whether you believe me or not, this one thing I know: The same message of grace that I declare is the same for you too – all you have to do is believe it. So why not get hyper!

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10

You are a steward of God’s grace. Did you realize this? This isn’t something that will someday happen to you. It is going on right this moment. It has been a reality since the creation of man. What Adam lost in the garden has been regained at the resurrection of Jesus.

Look carefully at the wording in this verse and follow the pattern according to what you have learned. 1. A gift was given and received; 2. The gift is now to be given to another; 3. The release of the gift demonstrates the varied nature of God’s grace. At no point in this transaction is the gift held onto. In order for it to be a demonstration of grace it must be released. You are deemed a good steward when the transaction is completed.

Action. This is the characteristic of a verb. I know I’m repeating myself here but I need to make this point clear. In this verse the word “gift” is a charis word. More importantly, its Greek root word is the verb-tense of charis. Even more important than the last statement is that this single word has been demonized in all religious circles. As such, I am deciding not to reveal it at this time so that you may not put your spiritual blinders on before I get finished.

The title of this section is not “Doing Grace” which some of you might feel would be appropriate if I’m going to speak about the action of grace. However, that would imply that by doing, you could also chose not to do. Worded in another manner, you could chose to not do the will of the Father! Does that sound like the actions of a good steward?

Consider this: Did you teach your pet dog to bark or pet cat to meow? Why not? Obviously, you don’t have to do this because it is a feature which is “built in” to the model of pet that you have. They do this because of how they are made. Or, out of their being they do these things naturally. Your ability to control, or limit, the use of this feature is what classifies you as a good owner, or steward, of your pet in the eyes of the public. Now granted, not everyone likes pets; so despite what you may think about them being a gift, their nature can offend.

For those of you who may at this point become slow of thought, let me apply this example to you. Your old nature was not a gift given to mankind from God. Because of your old nature, you did things which offended God. Even those things which you thought were “good” were offensive to God.

The Father knew that your past actions were a result of the stewardship you were under, however, those actions were based on a corrupted nature. In His infinite wisdom, He gives you a glimpse of His goodness. Desiring to receive more of this goodness, you believe in His Son’s works and the Father births a new nature in you. Next, He places you under the stewardship of Holy Spirit so you can learn how to properly give the gift of this new nature He placed within you.

It is from “being” the new nature that you “do” the acts people recognize as grace. Everything that you henceforth do, comes from being, from the smallest to the most monumental. All that you do is evidence of the grace-gift you have received, and give away to those around you. Notice that the grace-gift is not for

Autism. Dyslexia. Scoliosis. Cancer. Diabetes. Alzheimer’s and dementia. Congestive heart failure. Rheumatoid Arthritis. William’s syndrome. Paralysis.

This is a partial list of medical conditions that have affected my family and close friends over the past few years. Each of these conditions have long-term issues that are or have been addressed since their diagnosis. I offer this list to you for a singular purpose: I know from personal experience what I’m about to say.

Furthermore, having just come back from a week-long camp designed for families with child who have special needs, I witnessed the up-close and personal lives of families caught in a vicious cycle little are willing to expose.

A century ago, this list of conditions would in many parts of the world have been considered the examples of a person, or family, who is cursed by God or is oppressed by demonic powers. Even today, this type of thinking is prevalent in many churches across the globe, and yes, even right in your own community. This thinking cuts across all denominational lines so don’t consider for a moment that your tribe doesn’t have to study what I’m discussing. For this is a topic that no one wants to address, so I’m going to speak out.

The church practices bigotry.

In my journey through the nature and realm of grace I came to understand one of its basic tenets is that it applies equally for all, period. Now if you’re a “word of faith” person that sounds right, but you’re still working your faith to see the healing come that Jesus purchased for you with the stripes on his back. Don’t tell me I’m off here because I’ve been down that road, and have a whole wardrobe closet full of the ragged T-shirts it got me. The big boys, names I’ll not mention because you know who they are, worked me and my family up into a frenzy of confessing healing scriptures, reading the word, speaking those-things-that don’t-exist-as-though-they-do until it became quite evident that I, or we did not have the right kind of faith that even a mustard seed could rely upon.

Every charismatic church believes in the gifts of the Spirt to heal the sick. They practically foam at the mouth to lay hands on you, anoint you with oil and pray for healing to envelope you; cast out the spirit of infirmity; discern the generational curses that keeps you bound up; and of course, bind the strongman, satan and his demons, while loosing the healing anointing of the blood of Jesus. They are concerned about your well-being…only to the point of placing another notch on their promotional video about the wonders of God moving in their congregation.

You see the church, all the people, not just the leadership, don’t like you to stick around in their midst if you can’t display the healing power their doctrine is based upon. Sure they believe that healing stuff in their heads but…if you’re going to belong to their group, you’ve got to play by the rules. You must stay at the back of the sanctuary because you make too much noise coming in or going out, or you block the aisles when people are called to come down for prayer. You have to also give others the opportunity to be prayed for, after all, you’re not the only one with an illness or infirmity. After all that story about blind Bartimaeus is just that, a story.

How is this possible? It’s the nature of people both in and out of groups of people in all types of social environments. It’s that curse mentality which no one seems to want to shake off. We hate differences, be it ethnicity or gender-roles, besides being healthy is big business today. If you’re not fit, take a pill or two or three, and get back in the game, dude. If you can’t cut it, we’ll cut you. Tribalism at its finest moment.

Sick people are different. Everyone knows that we need to keep them apart from us because we don’t want what they’ve got. That logic works good for a virus but it doesn’t stop there when you’re dealing with handicapped or infirmed people. Marginalize them. They’ll get the picture and finally leave us to our “healing doctrine.”

The greater works of Jesus.

Jesus never healed all the people. The man, at the gate beautiful, is someone who spent his entire life at the temple as a cripple depending on the handouts of others to provide for him. In his social milieu he was cursed of God. Jesus had to pass by him to go into the temple at least three times a year for thirty-three years. Yet not once did Jesus heal him. That man was restored by Peter and John after the ascension of Jesus. This, we are told, is what a greater work looks like. Hence, it is also the pattern of how every church thinks they are to function – instantaneous, miracle power. Unfortunately, it’s not truly the greater work, or for that matter, even the good works prepared for you before the foundations of the world.

It’s easy to lay hands on someone or pray for them. No results, next. The greater work is staying with them for however long it takes for you both to see the healing. Yes, you may never see it. This is what makes it a greater work. It challenges our propensity to seek speed and convenience over relationship. Have you ever considered that sometimes it is just a miracle to be in a relationship with someone?
The church is called to be the body of Christ. Regrettably, in most cases it is merely a depository of selfish individuals vying for spiritual superiority and recognition through self-help, Tony-Robbin-laden, one-liner preaching. Leadership is not equipping the saints to deal with real issues in a body when their only method is to pray and confess by rote the lifeless words spoken 100 years ago from the last healing revival. Honestly, when I’ve spent the last 36 hours dealing with vomit, phlegm, and diarrhea your quaint, antiquated, little prayer isn’t worth the toilet paper I’ve expended in my toils.

Jesus said, “…as you’ve done for the least of these you’ve done unto me.” Every person with a long-term illness is “the least of these” in the eyes of the church. Rather than embracing them and their families, the church puts up with, or even marginalize them out of the very body they are a part of.

In that great chapter of faith of Hebrews 11 there is an often overlooked passage at the end which describes all the people who never saw the end of their faith. I think The Message version captures the summation of this chapter the best:

God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours. (Heb 11:40)

Notice how there is a joining of faiths which makes everyone whole. We are not independent individuals as much as we are dependent interviduals, a term coined by Rene Girard to explain how each of us is hard-wired to express the non-conscience desires of others. Another way of understanding this concept is to realize that I am who I am only in relationship to you, and vice-a-versa. I am nothing without someone to relate to. I hope you just caught what I said.

When a church marginalizes the infirmed, they have made them to be nothing because they have no one to relate with. The church thereby has claimed,” Jesus, I will have no part of you.” Now that might seem harsh but let the record speak for itself. How many infirmed people do you know right now? How active are you in their life? How often do you see them outside of a normal church service?

I don’t know if you realize it yet but life is a 24/7 experience. I do know for certain that the church hasn’t figured that out yet. Church is not life, right? It’s an hour on Sunday and maybe one on Wednesday, and then free time. To an infirmed person those two hours a week are actually six agonizing hours of ramping up and winding down just to hear a cotton candied message of hope. This is why so many will not come to the one place they need to be and the church accommodates them accordingly. It just is too painful on so many levels – the church has become just as isolated as the infirmed.

So what are the practicalities once prayer has been made, anointing has been administered and still no evidence that Jesus is in the house? If you’re a disciple, you better start serving. I trust that you can determine that each person is unique in how you serve them. Don’t think for a moment that what I’m able to say is all that can be done. This is where you learn how to develop a relationship with people by asking them what they need. But understand this too, they often don’t know what they need simply because they have been so focused on dealing with their illness. Just keep in mind 24/7, what do you do?

Now I know that some of you fine people out there go to great lengths to make meals for these poor folks, however, have you ever considered that no one seems to stays behind to do the dishes, mop the floor, clean the kitchen, stock the paper towels or do a load of laundry, including drying, folding and putting them away? Many of you will never know the pleasure of being able to vomit into a clean toilet and then rest your head against the coolness of a clean pedestal all night long simply because someone cared enough.

If you’re aiding a family who has a child who is ill, you have no idea how much gratitude you will receive if your help simply allows the parents to take a shower or bath. The laundry thing also gets big points here. Even mowing the lawn is appreciated. Also, bring over a movie and just sit around together to enjoy it. The infirmed don’t have ready access to the latest forms of entertainment, so bring it to them and share the experience. Learn to relate! Texting and emails will not cut it. But by all means don’t feel compelled to be chatty. You’re there to lend a hand and hold one, dry a tear and shed a few, be encouraging in the face of their greatest discouragement.

Right now some of you are getting anxious about how you’re going to do all of these things and the stuff that your life entails. Relax. You’re not required to do all this for everyone, just some one. There is always some church who want to be able to walk into a hospital and clear it out with a healing move of the Spirit. Why not be sensible for a moment and just offer to help those being discharged until they’re back on their feet, and try to do it without even mentioning the name of Jesus.

For those of you who know my story, realize that this message is not a plea for me. My family began our journey down this road in 1994 and we’ve learned a few things along the way. Through thick sleepless nights and thin nurse-less days we’ve muddled along praying diligently for the miracle which would resolve all the issues which seemed to crash down upon us like waves in the ocean. Our faith was challenged, stretched and punched beyond all recognition, even to the brink of shame and disgrace, but it’s never been about our faith anyway. That was a hard lesson to learn but now so vital to our peace. Along the way, a handful of good disciples did the very things you’ve just read. Of the hundreds of people in all the churches we’ve frequented, a handful knew the challenges we faced and chose to walk with us all the way to the end. We lost a few to their own battle along the way, but together we walked through theirs and ours. It’s what you do with those who have become closer than a brother or sister.

24/7 applies to all, equally, just like grace does. What is the least you can do to be like Jesus to the least of these? Get out of the box you’ve put yourself in and be who is inside of you. Maybe then you’ll look like a church-body rather than a spiritual social drama queen.

Have you ever witnessed, or actually created, the following scenario? Two young children from different families are thrust into the awkward social situation of playing together while the adults go and talk among themselves. One of the kids decides to make the bold move of giving a toy to the other as a gesture of kindness which is gratefully accepted and playtime begins. Some considerable time passes and the adults determine that they need to return to their proper daily routine; so they begin the process of attending to coats, and other outer wear, while straightening things up. In this moment of rectification, an adult takes the toy from the small child claiming in soothing parental tones that it belongs to the other child. Suddenly, all hell breaks loose! Screaming, wailing, gnashing of teeth kind-of-hell.

I’ve been to a number of church services that operate every weekend just like this. People come together for an awkward social gathering to enjoy the gift of Christ and then some “adult” gets up and takes the gift away screaming about the wailing and gnashing of teeth that awaits those who refuse to accept the gift of Christ! It was already there and everyone was enjoying it until an adult felt it was time to get back into the routine and rectify the matter. Nothing quite like traditions…

But is Christ really a gift if you have to give it back? You probably never thought of that did you? The gift that keeps on giving as long as you return it. Sure, I know that some of you are scratching various body parts trying to figure out what I’m talking about and it’s disappointing for reasons that I’m about to explain.

The present day “grace movement” has missed a very crucial point in its depiction of the grace gift given by the Father. It comes from understanding the history behind the Greek term charis which has been translated as “grace” in the scriptures. There are a number of facets that charis covers which I’ve discussed in a number of prior postings, however, the primary attribute it displays is reciprocity – giving and giving back in return.

Consider the last grace message you heard; a message that went somewhat like this:

“Christ died for you. He took all your sins and was crucified on the cross so that you could live.”

Fairly common, right? But what is missing? If it’s going to true to the principle of grace in its fullest it will sound more like this:

“Christ died for you. He took all your sins and was crucified on the cross so that you could live. He died as you so that you would live as Him.”

The Father’s gift of His Son rectified the condition of mankind and produced a whole new creation in the resurrection of His Son. Everyone has been included in this new creation event – this is our Genesis. This newness of life is not ours though, it only comes through Christ. You may think that you’re not bound to the law anymore, which is true, however, you have become a slave to love.

Back in the days when there was chivalry found in going into battle to defend country against an enemy, certain men would actually take the place of others upon the field of battle. This was not a light matter for either man because they both understood the responsibility each faced. The one going into battle understood, that even as he faced possible death, he represented the other man on the frontline and everyone would associate his actions with the man he was replacing. The man who would stay behind would be bound to live the rest of his life as a memorial to the man who went into battle knowing that he only lived because someone gave his life for his. This was their grace gift to each other – honor for honor. Friends, family members and associates of the man who went to war paid close attention to the man who stayed behind so that they could remind him of the manner in which to live his life so that it exemplified the character of the one who had gone.

Today, very few are able to make the connection with Christ at this level of honor simply because they believe that he died so that they could be free to live a glorious, spirit-filled, drunken, slosh-fest with no concerns in this life about how they appear to others in their graceful stupor. Your life is not your own, it is a memorial to the one who gave his life for yours. You are expected to give the gift back without wailing and bawling about your freedom being infringed upon. You live in the liberty of grace so grow up into it. The whole world is watching.

Have you ever thought there has to be more than this? Are you unsettled with the sheer lack of a self-ordained objectives to accomplish simply because it is all “finished?” Are you still trying to delineate where your efforts and his faith meet? Believe it or not, these thoughts mean you’re resting in grace.

I know, it sure doesn’t feel like rest, but it truly is. You’re at that spot where everything you’ve thought you knew about this grace or faith thing hits the reality of Jesus. This is where the finished work declared 2,000 years catches up with you, and after surveying the terrain of a life now before you, you’re stupefied as to what your next move is. This is rest.

Now I’m certain that some – no most – will object to me claiming this as rest. They’ll claim that rest is what happens as a reward to work, a respite between intense personal effort and the next accomplishment. That might be a good explanation of what you’ve always known to be rest but how does that stack up to the reality that everything is…well…finished? Jesus declared it and gave up the ghost to defend it. Now what? Ah, there’s the rub.

The writer of the book of Hebrews claims that the children of Israel failed to enter the rest of the Lord because they lacked faith in the promise that was given them. This same writer then claims that the people of God, through Jesus, have the ability to enter into the same rest through his faith. So you’re resting, right? What? What about your faith? It doesn’t matter. Yes, I’m serious.

Consider that Israel, by their lack of faith, couldn’t enter into the rest of God. Do you seriously think that God would risk the entire population of the planet upon their own faith, once again, just so that they could miss entering His rest? You enter His rest through the faith of Jesus, not yours no matter how much you’ve exercised it. But don’t think that your faith isn’t worth something because it is, just not here. What Jesus did was done for you and me long before we ever believed. Any belief we have about it can’t reverse it or even add to it. Hence, it is finished. Now rest.

At this point some of you might have fallen into the trap of thinking how rest now means you don’t have to do anything – ever again. All the works have been accomplished for you so why not just sit or kick back and marinate in the presence of Jesus. If it was good for Brother Lawrence then is should work for you too, right? In my best Apostle Paul impression, “You foolish Christian, who has bewitched you?”

Before you were saved, I’m certain that you came across certain people who were…how do I put this so you’ll relate? They were lazy, good-for-nothing, free-loading bums. Yup, that is the term I think most of have used to define the behavior of those who seem to be on a perpetual holiday from life. Well, guess what? Now, after salvation, the term hasn’t lost its meaning simply because you can claim to be a child of grace. If you’re offended by my statement, good, because it means you’ve taken the bait in the trap. The last thing the world needs is an apostle of rest who won’t even go out and preach through their actions rather than their words. Seems like an oxymoron doesn’t it? (No, I didn’t just call you a moron.)

Understand this: Jesus is the personification of grace. He lives in you. He clearly stated that you would do greater works than him. He also said that His Father continues to work even to this day. So where is the rest in all of this? In the fact that you do not have to work to be approved, found in right standing, and concerned about if your last, or present, sin will be forgiven. Your rest from these works, the rest this whole message is about, has already been guaranteed by Jesus. This is the finished work of the cross. Now rest – for the greater works of grace await you.

If the Kingdom of God is anything – and it is everything – it is relationship.
Paul Luchsinger 1955-2015

It has been a hard year. My good friend Paul left this world for a greater glory a year ago. His passing was on the heels of my mother moving on three weeks prior. In both of their absences this week I’ve been pondering this quote so often spoken by Paul to me and honestly to anyone who ever came into contact with Paul. I’ve looked over the progression of events that have transpired this past year and I am amazed at the relationships that have developed, matured and/or withered.

I have been on a quest for the Kingdom of God being fully manifested in my life, as I’m sure many others have too. The one thing that I have taken note of is how our relationships with others cultivate the kingdom that is within us. Honestly, I don’t really need to be awed by the revelation you have of God if it doesn’t strengthen our ability to be united as friends, equals on the same journey. There is a lot of preaching and teaching going on in the church today but how much of it is building strong healthy relationships? If there are people leaving your congregation then I’d say that you’re teaching the wrong thing.

If you’re a “zippity-do-dah” preacher who can’t stand the sights or sounds of personal turmoil, your feel-good message is not going to build relationships. Yes, the sun will come up tomorrow, but for many that simply means more of the same crap they’ve had to deal with the day before. Yes, Jesus does love them, but that is not going to pull any weight with the demands a dying family member instills. Yes, there is a day of greater glory for all of us, but mister, you need to lower your vision to those about you, those who look to you for guidance in the day-to-day glory of the here and now and step out of your comfort zone of rarified platitudes and deal with the mess of living. If your message is all about the blessings of God, then don’t forget the blessings spoken over the poor, the hungry, and those who mourn aren’t for a latter day but for now.

Looking at the past year, turmoil is the hallmark of my strongest relationships today. Those of us who couldn’t deal with it had someone they could come to and walk with them in it. There wasn’t any finger pointing or brow beating just acceptance and love. As we walked out the daily messes and misses our commitment to the relationship grew and the influence of the inner kingdom became more apparent. Mourning and weeping will always lead to hugging and laughing if relationships are vital.

I guess the whole reason for writing this is to affirm that two important people who I miss greatly are still projecting an influence in the inner kingdom and that is what relationships are truly about. Just how will you favorably impact the life of another when you’re not there?