Patrick has a way of entertaining as well as sharing thought-provoking words of truth. Nice post, Patrick, again.
By Patrick Hawthorne
As the Church, we sometimes fall into the trap of wanting our government officials to legislate morality. We fuss and fume because of the seemingly lack of common sense among those who do not walk according to the Holy Spirit but according to the flesh. We forget that, apart from Jesus Christ in our lives, we would be no better than those whom we complain about.
If I take a mud wallowing, garbage eating, bad smelling pig and gave it a bath, it would still be a pig. If I soaked it for hours in the finest bubble bath, cleaned its teeth, and tied a pretty bow around its porky neck, it would not make it any less of a pig. It is because it is still a pig on the outside as much as it is a pig on the inside.
When we accept Jesus Christ…
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For years I toiled under the weight of a “works” oriented salvation. I believed that to please God I had to work to earn His favor and His grace. When I did good things I believed my deeds were pleasing to God and, for the moment, I had gained His favor. But, when I sinned (and I did. A lot) I believed, even when I repented, God would make me pay with some consequence or retribution. I considered it, “Waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
It was a miserable way to live. I went about my day trying to figure out what the
shoe would be. Would it hurt? Would it drop when I least expected it? Would it drop when I was enjoying pleasant times? Would it drop on my friends? When it dropped would my friends abandon me? Would it grieve me or cause me emotional pain? Would I suffer?
Then in August, 2000, I learned my true identity in Christ. God showed me His grace and taught me I didn’t have to pay for any or all the sins I committed. He told me, “They’re all already paid for. Stop waiting for that shoe and let me show you how much I love you.”
I’ve never worried about that shoe again.
Which Bible looks more like your Bible? Continue reading
“Well, [pause] yes,” he said. [Pause again] “Sometimes you may have to.” Continue reading
