October 30th, 2014

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Restoration

Thursday, October 30th, 2014

I am not one who believes in luck or coincidence. So…what do you make of my last post and the subject of this week’s sermon? In all honesty, it did not cross my mind until I sat down to write this post.

RESTORATION

Hmmmm now is it coincidence? I seriously doubt it. I see it as more of a divine incident. 🙂

Far too many followers of Christ have no clue about Grace and the liberty it offers in the “daily living out” of their faith. Therefore, those who “rag” on the church and followers of Jesus have a legitimate gripe. Sometimes. There are sincere followers trying to flesh out their faith, to make it real to the world in which they live.

On November 5.1864 Charles Sumner summed up the issue of slavery with these words:

Where Slavery is, there Liberty cannot be; and where Liberty is, there Slavery cannot be.

Many people are still bound to the old way of doing things and believing. It is particularly seen in relation to sin and restoration. God is in the reclamation and restoration business. It is no more evident than in Jesus’ closest allies- Peter to be more exact. If anyone messed up it was Peter. Not once. Not twice. Not even three times, although his most famous involved three denials. No…his whole time with Jesus seemed to be one mess after another.

Pretty much most of you know the story of Peter’s denial in Luke 22. We are also pretty familiar with his restoration on the sea shore in John 21. What a great example of extended grace!!

I’m excited to be preaching this Sunday on my favorite subject. I would certainly appreciate your prayers for this weekend.

Simple question: are you extending grace these days to someone? Do you need to? Do you know someone whom you would like to see restored to fellowship with Jesus? 

Posted in Christian living, Doctrine, Jesus, Preaching, Scripture look, Sermon Series/Topic | 15 Responses »

Redemption

Thursday, October 30th, 2014

Take a look at my header. I think it is a foregone conclusion that I am a cyclist. 🙂

I sometimes write about cycling. My efforts. My muscle aches. My accident. Most often relating cycling to life.

I make no apologies for being a Lance Armstrong fan when he was winning his record-setting 7 Tour de France victories. I defended him when accused of using EPO (a blood doping scam). I was disappointed he was guilty. I was pleased when he finally admitted it. I was not happy he received a lifetime ban when all the other users were given maximum two year suspensions and some even less. He doped in an era of dopers. (I know someone will be a smart aleck and say, “What does that make him?”). There is no question he was manipulative, a bully, and a cheat. Yes, he lied. Yes, he tried to cover it up.

I wonder if any of us are any different?

No…I have never used EPO…or any drug for that matter. I have mentioned here before I have never had a smoke, a drink, or taken any drug (unless you consider the caffeine in Diet Dr Pepper a drug). I don’t even drink coffee (can’t stand the taste).  But…

But this thing with Lance was, IMHO, over the top. Why? Because he is me. A flawed human being. It is called sin.

But there is a  bright side to his story. I just read an article yesterday with the subtitle: “Possibility for Armstrong redemption.” Long story short, his recent testimony to the Cycling Independent Reform Commission may pave the way for the ban to  be dropped. Here is the statement:

“I think that there is potential for redemption for him and anyone, really. I think it all depends on what [Armstrong] said to the commission and if he was prepared to talk about his or other people’s involvement and whether he’s genuinely contrite and deserving of redemption,” Cookson said. “I think it has to be said that what Lance did, not that he was the only one or only one involved, but it all depends on what Lance said to the commission and what they come up with. … we have to acknowledge and approve of any redemption in the sentence in the sanctions that he got.”
Several things stand out to me. First, “there is potential for redemption for him and anyone, really.” I’m glad there is more than a potential for redemption with God. There is the promise of that. Second, genuine contrition (repentance) is a necessity. Forgiveness is possible to all and for all who come with a repentant heart. Third, it is available even though I am not “deserving of redemption.” God operates differently than man. That is called Grace.
For Lance: a lifetime ban was too much. I hope it is overturned and he is gifted with redemption.
For me: I’m glad my ban was overturned by the actions of a Man (a Savior) on a cross and redemption is mine.

Posted in Christian living, Cycling, Doctrine, Opinion, Sin | 12 Responses »