Talking About Grace, Living By Law?

While discussing his religious upbringing, Philip Yancey makes an eye-opening statement about his early church experience. He says, "They talked about Grace but lived by Law; they spoke of love but showed signs of hate" (Church: Why Bother page 19).

Sometimes I wonder if I have been guilty of "talking about Grace but living by Law." We have had to fight many battles against the error of Calvinism and the concept of "the impossibility of apostasy." Clearly the Bible teaches that it is possible to be a genuine Christian and then turn your back on the faith, and thus loose your salvation (Heb. 6:4-6; 2 Peter 3:20-22; et. al.). But in our constant warnings that it is possible to "fall from grace," I wonder if we have left the average person thinking they have to constantly "work" to keep themselves saved. This too is grievous error. We are not saved by works, but by grace (Eph. 2:8-10). If we attempt to return to a "works-system" of salvation, ironically, it is then that we really fall from grace (Gal. 5:3-4). In our hurry to sound a warning that Christians "not fall from grace," we may have inadvertently caused them to actually fall from grace by trying to be saved by perfect law keeping.

"They talked about Grace but lived by Law; they spoke of love but showed signs of hate." --Philip Yancey

We are saved by grace, period. But we must remain under the protection of God's grace, just as we must "keep ourselves in the love of God" (Jude 21). As long as we have a genuine relationship with Christ and are on the pathway of light, grace continually covers us (1 John 1:9). If we ever venture away from Christ and into the darkness, we do not have the protection of grace (1 John 1:6). But we are saved by being "in Christ" and "in his grace" not by our own works or attempts at perfect law keeping.

When you live by a "Law-system mindset," spirituality becomes a burden and following God feels like slavery (Rom. 8:14-15). But Christ came to set us free from such a mindset (Gal. 5:1). When we stop living by Law and start living by grace, it is liberating. Suddenly following God does not feel like a burden but a joy. Working for God is no longer a "fear of doing enough to get to heaven." Rather, serving the Lord is a celebration of thanksgiving for the gift of his grace. Keeping Christ's commandments become a simple expression of loving Him (John 14:15).

Let us all not just talk about grace, but live by it!

Why Bother With Church?

Philip Yancey has quickly become one of my favorite authors. He has a small book titled Church: Why Bother? My Personal Pilgrimage. In the book Yancey traces his personal journey from trying to be spiritual without the church, to realizing its necessity.

Why is it that many people seem opposed to the church? Why does it seem that there are so many (particularly in their 20's & 30's) who want to be spiritual but despise organized religion? Perhaps the organizational structures of denominationalism has left a bad taste in the mouths of many because of a perceived hypocrisy. Often the organization of the church is concerned with rites, rituals, and outer forms. Meanwhile, church-goers seem less than real in their spirituality. "There are too many hypocrites in the church!" shouts the opponent of organized religion. Such a charge is, unfortunately, all too true.

I can't blame people for being opposed to the organized structure of denominational churches. I am also opposed to such. For this reason, I proudly am a part of a fellowship that strives to organize congregations that simply try to practice the simple, pure faith of the church read about in the New Testament. Sometimes we don't get it right. Sometimes we make mistakes. But we avoid the bells, whistles and frills of man-made religion, with all of its pomp and tradition. We seek simple New Testament Christianity and spirituality. We desire to follow the heart of Jesus and be his church. But even in the most spiritual assembly of Christians, there will always be those who are faking their faith.

But should the presence of hypocrites in the church turn us against the institution itself? Jesus certainly viewed the church as being a vital part of true spirituality. He thought it so important that he purchased the church "with his own blood" (Acts 20:28). I once heard it said, "If you let a hypocrite stand between you and God, he is closer to God than you are." Think about it.

Quoting J.F. Powers, Philip Yancey compares the church to a large ship:

"This is a big old ship, Bill. She creaks, she rocks, she rolls, and at times she makes you want to throw up. But she gets where she's going. Always has, always will, until the end of time. With or without you."

So it is with the church. She creaks, rolls and rocks, too. Sometimes, the actions of those within the church make you want to throw up. But it is the church that will get you where you are going. Jesus provides salvation only for those who are truly a part of His church. (Eph. 5:23). Always has, always will.

Faithful as the First Century Christians?

Recently, I came across a very thought provoking quotation that made me stop and examine my own Christianity. I found this quote in the writings of C.S. Lewis, but later discovered that it originally came from William Law. He asked the question:

"If you will here stop and ask yourselves why you are not as pious as the primitive Christian were, your own heart will tell you, that it is neither through ignorance nor inability, but purely because you have never thoroughly
intended it."

Have you ever asked yourself this question? Today, if the electricity goes off at the church building, worship services are cancelled. Some Christians think they are "providentially hindered" from going to worship if an unexpected rain shower comes. Compare that with the dedication of the first century saints. With the threat of being imprisoned, beaten and even killed, they continued to be dedicated to the cause "rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name" (Acts 5:41).

This quote really challenges me. If I really examine why I don't have the same level of intense faith that the first century Christians had, my heart will reveal the real reason. It is not because I don't know how to be, it is not because I am unable to be, it is simply because I have not made the decision to be.