Words from the WellRandom Thoughts on Christ, the Church and Technology

I am in a season of intense questioning, struggling with what I am supposed to “look” like as a Christian.  This is an interesting, confusing, exciting time of personal growth.  I invite you to join the ride with me, as I look deeply inward at who it is that God created me to be, and far outward at His creation.

13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.  http://youversion.com/nlt/Col.2.13

I struggle with the truth of this passage.  I know what it means, I know that it is true, I believe that I am saved only by God’s grace. BUT (you had to see that one coming) I really struggle living this truth out in my life.  Partially I blame the Church.  (Before you post that nasty comment about personal responsibility, please note that I said partially.) Instead of being a safe place to find refuge, comfort and forgiveness the Church has become a place of dogmatism, condemnation and hate; not really the picture of Christ that we are supposed to be.  Consider the church sign that I pass every day on the way to and from my home.  This morning it read “Consider the high cost of low living.”  Sounds good right?  Nice little turn of phrase, shows a little creativity and it is true, there is a cost to living out of God’s will, but is that the message that we want everyone that drives by a church to get?  I don’t think that it is.  As the old saying goes, “You catch more flies with honey, than you do with vinegar.”  God’s grace disarmed the religious authorities and their attempts to use religion to rule, in some ways I think that is what the Church is trying to do today.  Christians are sometimes more interested in condemning than they are in redeeming.  As Christians we are called to be salt and light, two things that are good, two things that are positive, two things that bring about change.  We are to be Christ to a world that doesn’t know Him.  We are called to live in His grace and we cannot do that when we are pointing out the faults in others.

I want desparately to live in Grace, both for myself and for those around me that do not know Christ.  How about you?