Convenient Christ.

(editorial note) I've had this post done for a few weeks now. I had been debating whether to put it up or not. I actually considered lying and saying that I found it somewhere out there and thought it was good. But that's not the truth. The truth is that I wrote it. But if what I'm about to say is difficult to hear even from a stranger, how much more would any chance of growth be choked out if it comes from you may know? Anyway, here we go:

What I'm about to say is hardcore. Difficult to swallow. It's also an excellent opportunity to grow. I was talking to my brother about a book he was reading, and he mentioned the term "cheap grace". I don't know who wrote it, I haven't read it, but that term "cheap grace" stuck with me. Cheap grace teaches and breeds a lifestyle of forgiveness without repentance. What are the effects of cheap grace built up over a life long walk with God? A weak Christian mainly. A person that God can't do much with, and the things He can use you for, you bring shame to, because you're weak in Him. Does anything else matter after that? I'm sick of seeing people use and abuse God's grace. I categorize myself in this way as well. I'm no better than you, probably worse at times. Do you think it's God's grace in action when you decide that you're going to bathe in a rotten pile of carnal fleshly sickness by choice and evil desire? Jesus didn't die so that you could call on him when you feel bad about how your selfish life and choices screwed you over and left you empty when you already know SO much better. That was meant for when you were new to God. Not for when you're supposed to be beyond "infant's milk". You've heard the term "putting God in a box". This is far worse. It's not putting Him in a box when you draw lines as to how much of a Christian you're going to be; How much you're going to allow God's Word to change you and how much you won't. How much you REFUSE to adhere to conviction until it just kind of goes away. Will God give you this grace anyway? Absolutely! Does He want you to need it on that level? Obviously not, since we MORE than have the ability through Christ to advance beyond that level. This cheap grace is how people are Christians for 25 years and are still living like babies in Christ. It's how people have the form and never the power. This is how people who have walked with God for 20 years have a plastic smile while in secrecy, they hate themselves and those around them. Grace is temporary in the big picture view - and my Bible says that we'll give account for everything in the end! I'm sick of Christians being self-centered and self-serving whores. Whores. I use that word because it's true. Whoring yourself out to sin's consuming way because it serves your purpose of self fulfillment. Not you, you say? You serve at church and smile at people you like? You don't hate and steal? Well, blessed be your name! I'm not talking about clear worldly behavior. I'd even say that many Christians aren't using God in that way. I'm talking about the things that we harbor in our hearts and inner thoughts. I'm talking about the hidden things that you abuse God's abundant grace to pardon yourself of without intention to change! Clearly it is obvious that outward sin is much easier to overcome. Why is that? Because inner sin is secret, for one. Inward sin is destructive to us because the secrecy means we don't always have a sense of urgency to destroy it. People can't plainly see it, so it can be easy to nurture it instead of kill it. It's the inner filth that people don't want to give up that crusts up until we are changed into something that makes God sick. The Bible says that all have fallen short. That's not a license to continue being stubborn in sinful ways because it suits you. Repent of whoreish behavior. Be free. A lot of people like to quote the bible to suit self-serving causes. Here's one:

Part of John 8:32 : ". . . and the truth will set you free."

Well, that's fun. And comforting. Here's the verse before that:

John 8:31-32 : Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

He who is set free by the Son is free indeed . . .