grace « MikeOharaLive

20Jan/100

Costly Grace

God's grace is free but it wasn't cheap. It's freely given to those who have faith in Jesus, but it cost God everything. I cheapen grace when I think it's a license to sin. "I can do whatever I want, God will forgive me." That's cheap grace. I also cheapen grace when I think grace is extended to me because of my discipline, morality, good deeds, etc. "Because I live a good life God will show me grace." More cheap grace.

To cheapen grace is to deny the deadliness of sin. If I live however I want (license to sin) I'm really saying that sin has no consequence or effect. If I live a moral, upright life in order to attain grace I'm really saying that I can control and conquer sin on my own merit.

It's when we truly understand sin's deadliness that we understand the amazing grace of God. We understand that grace doesn't move us toward wayward living, nor does it move us toward moralism; Grace moves us toward a Savior. Unrighteous living doesn't save, and righteous living doesn't save. Jesus saves.

Tagged as: Gospel, grace, Jesus No Comments

14Nov/092

Why do I need to go to church?

For part 3 of our FAQ series we will answer the question, "Why do I need to go to church?"

If you think you need to go to church to be a good person, become more spiritual, or reserve your spot in heaven, then you don't need to go to church. There are lots of good people who don't go to church. Many people are in touch with their spirutality outside of church. And going to church will guarantee you a place in heaven no more than sitting on an airplane will make you a pilot, or going to McDonald's will make you into a Big Mac.

So, why go to church?

From my early teens to my early 20's I was pretty disengaged from church. I attended church, but I wasn't there, if you know what I mean. I mostly went out of obligation and because I liked a girl (she's my wife now). It wasn't until I turned 22 that I discovered I needed to go to church. When I think back, the need to go to church stemmed from a simple yet life-altering decision: I decided to follow Jesus.

It was this decision that caused me to need to go to church. I admit, I haven't always been happy with church, or I haven't always felt like going to church. Yet my commitment to follow Christ goes deeper than man's faults or how I'm feeling. In short, if I'm committed to following Jesus I need to go to church.

This Sunday we explore how following Jesus and going to church cannot be exclusive to each other.

Let me also say that at GBCK we try hard to make church a comfortable and compelling place for people to meet Jesus. This includes those who are discovering, or re-discovering, a relationship with Jesus.

There are many reasons not to go to church. Yet the ONE reason to go is found in the decision to follow Jesus who "loves us as if there's only one of us." (Augustine)