Fear or Gratitude?

Some feel Judgement Day will be a day of fear because they hope that our “good” will somehow outweigh our “bad” and we will make it – even if it’s barely – into Heaven.

Fortunately for us all, it just doesn’t work that way.

We could never do enough good to earn a spot in Heaven, and if we could, what did Jesus die for?

“I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” Galatians 2:21

The difference between an eternity with God and an eternity as far separated from God as possible comes down to whether we’ve chosen Jesus as our Lord and Savior, or if we’ve decided that we are our own Lord and Savior.

Judgement will not be a comparison between us and the greatest or worst people in history, it’s whether you are perfect and holy, or not.

So how could we ever enter Heaven if that is the criteria?

The only way we can enter into Heaven is if we enter by some else’s perfect record.

Jesus lived the perfect life we cannot and have not lived, and suffered the death of eternity in our place.

But the only difference being, He beat death three days later, and if we are in Him, we are credited His righteousness.

If we are truly in Him, we are judged on His record, not our own.

In other words, Judgement Day will be the greatest Passover in history.

Everyone will be judged alike for everything we’ve ever done, thought or said (good, bad and indifferent).

But those who have the blood of Jesus staining the door-frames of their heart will be passed over – the angel of death and Hell will have no effect on them.

Are you truly in Him?

Is He truly your Lord and Savior?

Although they are strong motivators, please don’t let guilt or fear drive you to Him.

Simply meditate – truly and genuinely concentrate – on what He’s already done for you, and experience the life-changing gratitude, love and joy of the cross.

I know you didn’t ask for a sermon this morning, and I wouldn’t blame you if you no longer wanted to follow A Changing Grace.

However, I truly believe that if we are friends, I wouldn’t be much of a friend if I didn’t share this with you.

Don’t let Guilt replace the “good” in Good Friday

As I shared the Gospel of Jesus with a struggling friend earlier this week, I couldn’t help thinking much of the Christian World (as I did myself for several years) can at times become overwhelmed with guilt as they ponder the cross – especially on a Friday that is supposed to be good.

Whether they feel terribly responsible for putting Jesus in that position or the shame that they so easily let their troubles get the best of them when they pale in comparison to what He went through, the cross can be a source of guilt for so many.

Before I go any further, let me just say that I do think it is an obligation for Christians to spend some time meditating on the suffering Jesus endured – we must never forget.

After all, what Jesus went through for us is likely the utmost demonstration we have that the truest love often comes with the truest cost.

And honestly, we – the entire human race – are certainly to blame for making Him go through that suffering and death to save us.

But if that’s all we ever think about the cross, we may tend to feel guilty, and if we’re honest, not too many of us LIKE to feel guilty, and so we may choose to just not think about the cross because it makes us feel sad or guilty.

That doesn’t sound like much of a “good” Friday to me.

So my question is, could there be another way of looking at the cross – and without taking anything away from it – that might allow us to look upon it without guilt or shame, and actually give us an even more heightened awareness of His love for us?

I mean, how much more could we learn about His love for us than Him laying His life down for us?

Let me try to explain.

Seeing what Jesus went through on the cross can help us put into perspective our relatively minor troubles compared to His.

And the guilt we feel about complaining about our puny troubles can certainly be a strong motivator for us to snap out of it and put our big boy/girl pants on.

But, even as strong as perspective and guilt can be, NOTHING is a more powerful motivator than love.

Knowing Jesus died for our sins definitely proves He loves us, but can it really help us understand the full scope of His love for us?

I’d like you to think a bit further than that.

I would imagine anyone – even Jesus – in order to be able to willingly subject themselves to something that horrific, would need a living hope – a hope so powerful that just the knowledge of it allows them to endure anything to get it.

1 Peter 1:3-4 explains how Jesus is our living hope by what He did on the cross.

“You have been given a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.”

Essentially, our living hope is an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – an eternity in Heaven, right?

Well, I’d like to propose to you that Jesus also needed a living hope – an inheritance – to get Him through what He faced on the cross.

What do you think was Jesus’ living hope?

In other words, what could have possibly drawn Him out of the perfect existence of Heaven, knowing that by doing so meant HE would have to literally go through Hell to get it?

What could Jesus have possibly been hoping for that He didn’t already have?

Some might think, well, His living hope must’ve been to be with His Father in Heaven.

But that couldn’t have been it…remember, He already had that in Heaven before He came here.

So, what was it?

Perhaps eighteenth century theologian Jonathan Edwards can give us a clue.

“In the Garden, Jesus had a near view of that furnace of wrath, into which he was to be cast. He was brought to the mouth of the furnace that he might look into it, and stand and view its raging flames, and see the glowings of its heat, that he might know where he was going and what he was about to suffer for us.”

Did you catch that?

For us!

The ONLY thing that Jesus didn’t already have in Heaven was you and me.

WE were His living hope.

He willingly left Heaven to come to Earth, to plunge Himself into the Hell of the cross just so one day He could have us in Heaven with Him.

WE were the very thing that gave Jesus the unshakable determination to go through what He went through.

If that doesn’t give you chills, read it again.

You see, knowing this is the only way we can – without taking any of the guilt, suffering and shame away from it – gaze upon the cross to not only give us a heightened awareness of His love for us, but instead set off a newfound explosion of His love for us.

Now, THAT is a Good Friday.

Can I get an AMEN?!

Friends, it is my prayer that by knowing you were, and still are, His living hope, that it will melt your heart to such an extent that you not only better understand the “good” in Good Friday, but from now on you have a difficult time looking at the cross WITHOUT thinking “good” ever again.

The Inside of our Outside

Something has been weighing on my mind, and I think I finally have the words to express how I feel.

And unfortunately, the feeling isn’t very good.

Not too long ago, I read that the race discrimination lawsuit involving former Food Network star Paula Deen was tossed out of court, but not before most – if not all – of her employers dropped her like a leper, resulting in character assassination, the loss of millions of dollars, and who knows what other personal losses.

Now, I’m not going to get into whether or not I agree with the judge’s decision, I have made it a point to stay out of the media circus that ensued throughout this entire ordeal.

However, I cannot help wondering how Paula Deen could have avoided the entire situation.

Obviously, the one thing she could’ve/should’ve done was to never use a racial term in the first place.

But, is that realistic?

For some very good people, sure.

But for others, not so much – black, white, or otherwise.

To be honest, in retrospect it seems as if Paula Deen would’ve just lied about making the racial remark in the first place, she might’ve fared better.

But is that where we are as a society?

Is lying and covering up our past the best way handle such matters, even if the terrible thing we’ve done in our past wasn’t an accident, and was just plain hateful?

Is that the way we think we can find healing in the world – pretending the bad things never happened and hope to get away with it?

Not according to James.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16

Of course none of us want to confess our sins, or our deepest, darkest flaws or insecurities!

But I am truly convinced that’s the only way we can experience true healing, true forgiveness and a true path to moving forward from an ugly past…individually or as a society.

The fact is, most of us are more worried about how confessing might harm our careers, relationships and/or reputations.

But can’t we see that living like this never releases us from our past, or our sin?

It’s a crushing weight many carry all the way to the grave.

For me personally, I want to confess that I was once a racist.

Was I ever a supporter of the Klu Klux Klan?

Did I ever physically hurt or harm another person with my racism?

Absolutely not!

But, did I ever look down on, feel awkward around or make awful – and sometimes hateful – assumptions about people based solely on the color of their skin?

Sadly and regrettably, but truthfully, yes.

And I have no excuse for my past behavior because there is no excuse for it.

Some of you would question why I would even bring such a personal thing up, especially since no one asked me, and since I no longer feel that way anymore.

I mean, wouldn’t it just be easier to ride the coat tails of my “current” reputation – you know, what people see on the outside?

But there’s one big problem with that.

That would do nothing to remedy the terrible guilt I carry inside.

I literally feel the very weight of my past prejudice and discrimination, especially every time someone dotes about how “good a Christian” I have come to be.

In speaking to the Church of Sardis in Revelation 3, Jesus delivers some blockbuster words for a church that, by all outward accounts, seems to be a model church.

I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.

So for those who may question why I would make such a thing public now, this is why.

I want to shed the burden of my past and begin the healing of my heart, and maybe, just maybe, begin the healing of a small piece of the world.

And if nothing else, I want everyone to know the real me, and ensure that whatever good “Christian reputation” I might have now is seen for what it really is, and where it had to come from to get there.

My point is, we ALL need healing from something.

And again, I’m not condoning or making an excuse for my – or Paula Deen’s – past behavior.

But if we have come to the point in society where it is more advantageous to just hide from, or simply lie about our past just to keep our “reputation” intact, what good is it?

The heart of this matter lies at the foot of the cross, and who we’re REALLY counting on to be our Savior.

If I profess to be a transformed person through Christ as my Savior, but still cling to the habit of hiding from the things (past or present) that would taint my reputation, Jesus may be my role model and teacher, but ultimately He isn’t actually my Savior.

My reputation is.

But if Jesus is really my Savior, my identity must not come from ANYTHING else except for what He did for me on the cross – not how moral I am, how much scripture I can recite, how many times I pray, how much money I give and certainly not how well I lie and hide from my mistakes.

I’m certainly not done mentally reconciling the less-than-favorable parts of my life, and even if I somehow do one day, I will still be flawed.

But I want my identity firmly set in knowing Jesus has done everything I will ever need FOR me, instead of believing that the things I do – good or bad – define me.

If we can somehow get to a place where we let people truly be themselves, repent for their past, present and future wrongdoings, maybe real change in this world can finally take place.

Until we do, real, life-changing healing will be nothing but a fantasy.

Want Real Change for Your Life?

It’s kind of awkward for me to talk about this, mainly because I’m desperately afraid it might come off as self-serving, self-promoting or self-righteous, but the fact is several people have approached me with the same question lately.

No, I’m not crazy. I’m just blown away by how MUCH I am loved.

Then again, maybe some of them are simply hoping to discover a better explanation as to why I’m so weird, but they still ask nonetheless.

“How have you managed to find so much joy in your faith in the past few years?”

Before I respond, I usually preface my answer by reminding them that I’ve always been a people person, have always had an over-active sense of humor, and for several years even “did” most of the same faith-related activities I do now.

But yes, there is a HUGE difference between the me now and the me just a few years ago.

So what is it?

Well, I hate to disappoint, but “it” is actually several things.

However, instead of giving you a long, drawn out testimony, I’ll tell you what I think has transformed my life more than anything else.

And that’s knowing the cost of my (our) salvation.

That may sound too simple to you, but I honestly believe that until I fully realized my need for a Savior and what He endured to offer me the ultimate hope of eternal life, my life would never really change.

Some Christians are quick to spout that “Jesus died for our sins,” but rarely ever take the thought much further than that.

Yes, “Jesus Saves” sounds so encouraging, but have you ever seriously thought about how He saved us, why He saved us and why we needed saving in the first place?

When the fact is, the Creator of the Universe humbled Himself down to the frailest of vulnerabilities – a defenseless infant – lived His short life incessantly teaching love, grace and mercy, and intentionally offered Himself up to be savagely beaten and nailed to a wooden cross.

And He did that for me, for you.

As a result of first pondering that, and then knowing that, it literally changed me forever.

In other words, let’s say a friend of mine tells me they stopped by my house when I wasn’t home and discovered one of my bills lying on the ground.

And upon finding the envelope, they felt compelled to open it and pay off the debt.

What should my level of gratitude be for this person?

Well let’s face it; I’m going to be thankful no matter which debt of mine this person paid off.

But if I’m completely honest here, I’m only going to be mildly thankful if I find out the debt they paid was my Men’ Health Magazine subscription.

I mean, it’s a nice gesture and all, but nothing Earth-shattering, right?

Now, just imagine what my gratitude level would be if I find out this person paid off my home mortgage, or the kids’ college tuition?

Please understand I am not trying to point out or make a comparison between how thankful I am versus how thankful others are, or vice versa.

All I’m suggesting is that until we fully realize – or at least seriously consider – the cost of an action, we will naturally struggle to understand, or more importantly, feel it’s entire worth.

Like you, I’ve heard for years that “Jesus died for my sins.”

That’s information.

But, it wasn’t until a few years ago, when I began to put actual flesh and bones on the person (Jesus) who did that, and through that realized that not only did this happen, it came through unfathomable sacrifice, pain and love….for me, and you!

That’s emotion!

And the more I feel that, the more I begin to understand how much I meant to Him and appreciate my worth and the worth of those around me.

You see; so many people simply want a god who just loves us.

That sounds really nice, warm and fuzzy, but is that the reality of true love?

No way.

If you’ve ever experienced true love, you’ve experienced the cuddly stuff, but you’ve also endured sacrifice, heartache and pain.

Friends, I can’t promise that what has worked for me will work for you – we’re all different.

But I will assure you one thing; the deeper you meditate on the price He paid for you, the more gratitude, love and joy you’ll genuinely feel.

So for those who wonder, that, more than anything else is what has completely transformed my life.

Beauty, not Duty

I came across a truly profound quote as I thumbed through Facebook on my iPhone this morning.

“Legalistic remorse says, ‘I broke God’s rules,’ while real repentance says, ‘I broke God’s heart.’” – Tim Keller

The reason I think this is so insightful, is because I think it strikes to the core difference between religiosity and a genuine relationship with God.

And I also think it’s what keeps millions of people alienated from God, and maybe even prevents most Christians from experiencing an indescribable freedom they don’t even know exists.

Here’s an inadequate analogy for what I’m trying to say, but I think you’ll get my point.

Say you’re a high school student trying to do all the right things, obeying all the rules, a member of all the important school clubs, with a perfect attendance for three years straight.

You know the principal there, and you’ve respected him/her for as long as you’ve known them, but have never met or spoken to them directly.

And just as things are going great, you discover there’s a rule – specifically instituted and directed by this principal – that you’ve been unknowingly breaking for quite a while.

To most, this rule isn’t a big deal, but for you, breaking this particular rule has been the very thing that’s given you the extra boost you’ve needed to rise and achieve the academic success you’re enjoying.

Since you are an excellent student, you try very hard not to break this rule – because you simply want to do the right thing – but it’s very difficult because you’ve broken this rule for so long it’s almost become second nature to you.

Each time you catch yourself breaking this rule, you get frustrated with yourself – after all, you’re trying to be a good student, right?

And then you begin to doubt whether or not you’re actually a good student, or worse, you start justifying your actions and perhaps even become perturbed by a principal who would make such a rule that seems almost impossible for you not to break.

But what if that principal was your spouse, or Grandpa for those of you who aren’t married?

Of course, the personal connection alone doesn’t change the fact that the rule exists, or that it’s still nearly impossible for you to completely kick the habit of breaking this rule.

But because there is an actual relationship between you and the “rule maker” your perception of that rule becomes different somehow.

The same thought can/should be applied to obeying God.

I think we can all agree that we ALL fall short of the glory of God.

But we are called to constantly turn away from our sinful nature, and the idea is to sin less and less as we grow and mature.

The problem is I think many people go about this maturation process in the most difficult manner – namely, on their own, by their own willpower, work ethic, etc.

Now, I’m not saying this method can’t or doesn’t work, but it’s extremely difficult for the majority of us.

You see, God doesn’t simply want you and me to be great rule followers (see: Jesus’ interaction with the Pharisees, whom were actually stellar rule/law followers).

He wants a relationship.

He wants us to confide in Him, wants us to trust Him, and most of all, He wants us to rest in Him.

So the point of that great quote above is that if you develop a relationship with Him, the rules may not change, but how we view them does.

As our relationship grows and blossoms, we will still want to do the right thing, but instead of doing it because “it’s right,” we will tend to do the right things because by not doing so harms the One we’re in a relationship with.

So, how’s that easier than simply buckling down and just resolving to do better?

That’s simple.

Because then we are no longer relying on our own strength (which is fraught with human limitations), but instead we’re able to tap into His unending supply of power through the relationship.

This, among many other things, is an eye-opening contrast between religiosity and an authentic, beautiful relationship with God.

Simply put…serving Him out of beauty is infinitely easier and more effective (long term) than serving Him out of duty.

I’M BAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!

Of course there’s no need for explanations, but I wanted to let you know that I did take a bit of a break during the holidays to focus more on my family during this special time of year.

However, I admittedly also needed a little time away from the ever-building pile of “stuff” (including this blog) to reset my every day focus on the relationship I’m building with my Lord and Savior.

When I can, I will still try to deliver a post a week, but from now on, instead of trying to meet a weekly deadline, I am going to post as His Spirit moves me.

Mixed in with my usual posts, some posts will be simple thoughts, poignant quotes or meaningful lyrics to a song I feel led to share.

Hopefully this will be a good thing for everyone.

And since this is my first (mini)post of the New Year, I think it’s only proper that I share my New Year’s resolution with you as well.

My New Year’s resolution is focusing much more on doing everything (loving my family and friends, worshipping, working, discipling, writing…everything) for the glorification of God.

Simply put, I want to live a life that changes misconceptions and society’s cynical view of Christianity.

I sincerely hope you enjoy, and are perhaps touched in one way or another by my past or future posts.

And if you feel led, please, PLEASE share A Changing Grace with someone you feel it can encourage or edify.

Happy New Year!

In His Grace, Mike.

Thankful for a PG-Rated Life

After pushing myself away from Thanksgiving dinner the other day, I began thinking about the things I’m most thankful for in my life.

Basically, I think most of us are thankful for similar things – family, friends, employment, etc.

My beautiful family is one of the things I’m most thankful for in life.

And while there’s nothing wrong with being thankful for those types of things, as I sat and pondered the things I’m thankful for, my mind drifted to some of the most difficult times in my otherwise ordinary life.

It’s often in these times that – when we’re able to look back into the cloud of hurt and uncertainty – we realize God was alongside us the whole time, steadily spinning His web of what’s known as Prevenient Grace into our life.

Prevenient Grace is what I like to call the divine super highway of forks in the roads of our destiny.

I personally think our lives are filled with opportunities – both delightful and painful – to engage our God-given free will to go in a direction that is either headed toward God, or away from God.

And I also believe that we may come to these forks not even knowing they are forks at all – or at least not until many years later anyway.

The reason I believe this has a lot to do with how you are even reading this very post today.

You see, the summer of 1993 was not a good time in my life by any stretch of the imagination.

I was an energetic 25-year old husband and father with a good job, new vehicle and was in the process of purchasing a lovely home in a small town.

It should have been the prime of my life, but it turned out to be a snare of avalanches waiting at every turn.

With little notice that things were going wrong, my now ex-wife informed me that she was leaving – with my son.

Less than two weeks later, my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

For the next six months I watched as my once-strong Dad withered and writhed in unrelenting pain until he passed away early that December.

Financially hanging by a thread, I switched jobs to work for a company that provided insurance so I could afford to pay child support.

And if that wasn’t enough, within two weeks of my father’s funeral, I lost the 2,000 square-foot house I had just finished remodeling and moved into an aging 12-foot-wide mobile home.

If someone would have told me God was working in my life at that point, I think I might have punched them.

Shortly after beginning my new job, I was confronted by one of my new managers after he had heard through the grapevine that I was a semi-talented “artist.”

Not wanting to disappoint my new boss, I reluctantly agreed to produce a weekly cartoon for the company newsletter.

But within a few weeks, I quickly realized I simply didn’t know enough about the company culture there to come up with pertinent or relative cartoons about the place, so I attempted to bow out of the obligation graciously.

Not a chance.

Instead, my boss – Marcus Perry – suggested I contribute to the newsletter in a different way.

He asked me to write.

You wouldn’t know it now, but at that time, I had ZERO interest in writing anything, much less a boring weekly article for a company newsletter.

Still trying not to disappoint, I grudgingly agreed since he said I could write about anything.

So I wrote about the only subject I knew anything about at that time…sports.

From there, something strange began to happen.

Over the next few weeks, I was encouraged by enough people that I decided to apply for a part-time job at the local newspaper.

Well, one thing led to another and not only did I go on to write professionally for the next 15 years as a part-time sportswriter, but I also earned 14 Florida Press Association writing awards in the process.

Then, when my “real” job (not to mention my monthly bills) demanded more of my time, I walked away from writing and journalism completely.

But just when I thought my “writing” career was over, God let me know He wasn’t done with me and writing just yet.

So after a nearly 5-year hiatus, I suddenly felt led to start the blog ministry you’re reading right now – A Changing Grace.

In less than three months, with His power – not mine – A Changing Grace has grown faster than I could’ve ever imagined, reaching nearly 1,400 visitors from 23 different countries.

Friends, I write this today not only because I’m thankful for God’s Prevenient Grace, but also to give you hope.

The fact is, no matter what we’re going through, and no matter how far God feels distant from you, don’t ever discount the fact that this just might be the moment He’s working the hardest in your life – even if you’re like me and it takes you nearly 20 years to figure it out.

Tenth Avenue North

If you are in the North Florida area and are looking for an awesome night of praise, worship and INCREDIBLE music, you may want to hear about this!!

Tenth Avenue North will be performing at the Trinity Baptist Church in Jacksonville THIS Thursday night, November 15.

Opening for Tenth Avenue North will be Audrey  Assad and Rend Collective Experiment.

You don’t want to miss this show!!!

 

What does God need from us?

The simple, yet disappointing answer is…nothing.

Now, I know that’s pretty sobering to hear for some, because as humans, many of us have been conditioned to think that as long as we live good, generous and “spiritual” lives, we’ll end up in Heaven.

But the Bible may slightly beg to differ.

“And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.” – Acts 17:25

So then, the more fitting question may be: How much does God want from us?

Ironically, that answer is just as clear-cut.

He wants our faith.

The problem with that, however, is that so many people – even some of the most religious people in history – have a flawed understanding of what having faith really means.

Many of us falsely assume that if we are a good enough person and do enough good things, we’ll make it to the “Pearly Gates.”

Don’t get me wrong; being good and doing good things has a lot to do with faith, but it’s more like the caboose rather than the engine.

Let me try to explain.

Take John Wesley for instance.

John Wesley 1703-1791

The English-born Wesley was one of the greatest Anglican cleric and Christian theologians of his time, and for many years of his early life he was a renowned clergyman and missionary who traveled the world professing the Word of God with a religious passion few could match.

To give you an idea of just how “religious” Wesley was, he not only read the Bible; he memorized the New Testament…in Greek!

Ironically though, it wasn’t until he was about 35 years old that Wesley experienced a stunning revelation after hearing a reading of Martin Luther’s preface of the book of Romans.

Wesley actually described the experience as sort of an “awakening.”

“… while (the reader) was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. The moment I awakened, (Jesus) was in my heart…and I found all my strength lay in keeping my eye fixed upon Him.”

Did you catch that?

For the first time in his ultra-religious-effort-filled life, Wesley was suddenly transformed just because he allowed himself to seriously contemplate Jesus.

What’s the big deal?

You tell me.

Here’s a guy, who up to that point in his life was a pillar for the Church and Christianity, and even he didn’t truly understand faith until he finally realized his salvation had nothing to do with what he had done.

So, what should this tell us?

That no matter how good we are, and how much good we do, until we realize that we are all sinners in desperate need of a Savior, we may struggle to fully understand God’s infinite grace and mercy.

Unfortunately, society has conditioned many of us to think of Christianity as a series of “righteous” check boxes, and once we’ve checked enough boxes, we’re “set.”

The problem with that way of thinking is that it not only places unachievable expectations on us to perform, but it further – and wrongly – puts God in a position of owing us our salvation for the things we’ve accomplished.

However, like Wesley discovered, it’s not about what we do, but all about what Jesus did for us on the cross.

Now, some might argue: “Then what’s this, ‘faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead’ stuff in James 2:17 all about?”

Pastor and best-selling author Tim Keller may have a great answer to this question.

“Religion says, obey, do good things and then you’ll be accepted. But the Gospel says you’ve already been accepted, and that’s why we obey – out of gratitude, love and joy!”

So you see, faith isn’t just about “believing” in Jesus, but instead, seriously pondering what He did for us on the cross.

And when we do that, that’s when our hearts literally become so restructured that our lives are completely changed – from the inside out – to where we can’t help but bear fruit.

Will we still fall short and sin from time to time?

Of course.

But if we genuinely have this kind of gratitude deep inside our bones, we will gradually sin less and less because at that point sin takes on a whole new meaning.

Instead of being an act of shame, disappointment or enslavement, sin becomes something we despise because any time we take part in it, we feel like we’re hurting a loved One instead of breaking a rule.

Therefore, knowing God doesn’t need anything from us should actually be wonderful news!

Because if we will just quit concentrating on what we can do, and focus on what He has already donefor us,the gratitude in that alone will motivate us into doing greater things than we could have ever imagined.

Cast Votes, not Stones

Unless you are living under a rock (or in a different country), you know this is not only an election year here in the United States, but it’s also less than a week from Election Day.

I have to admit, this may be my least favorite time of year for at least two reasons.

1. The campaigns and debates have deteriorated into mud-slinging, truth-bending and line-towing displays of disrespect, and…
2. About half the people in the country think the other half are all “idiots” and/or “liars.”

After spending 15 years of my life as a sportswriter, I’ve heard plenty of great quotes in my time (many of which I could never use in a family newspaper), but one of the best quotes I ever received nailed the nature of politics in America square on the bull’s eye.

Not long after retiring from his sport, legendary drag racer “Big Daddy” Don Garlits briefly tried his hand at politics – running for office on the State level – but quickly “retired” from that arena nearly as fast as he used to race down the drag strip.

When I asked him why he got out of politics so suddenly, this is what he had to say:

“Anywhere I went in America as ‘Big Daddy’ Don Garlits, everyone loved me, but as soon as I put that letter behind my name (as in D for Democrat, or R for Republican) half the people instantly hated me.”

This dark side of the political environment produces a slippery slope for Christian voters.

In the past several weeks and months, I’ve heard people publicly cry out for Christians to vote for “this guy” or “that guy,” but I think this is a little dicey for the “big picture” of Christianity.

There’s nothing necessarily wrong about this, but it can present a risk – maybe not for the individual, but for Christianity as a whole.

I will try to explain.

First of all, I’m pretty sure it would be just as challenging to get a room full of Democrats to agree in unison about all political issues as it would be to get a room full of Republicans to agree unanimously about all political issues.

So, how in the world could one political party or candidate ever capture the whole sum of Christianity?

I agree that during any given election there may be a candidate that is a better voting choice from the Christian standpoint, but as Christians, we need to be careful about making a total connection between one candidate/political party to Christianity.

I’m also not saying that Christians can’t or shouldn’t have very strong, convicted beliefs and opinions about certain candidates or issues – that’s a good thing.

However, we do need to be cautious during a particularly heated political race – like the one we seem to be having this year.

As Christians we like to think that our comments and/or actions could be encouraging a non-believer or someone who is on the fence about faith in general to explore Christianity further.

So we also must accept the fact that our words and/or actions can also be what drives them away from Christianity if we allow ourselves to get caught up in the fray of below-the-belt name-calling and hate-speak.

To non-believers, or those on the fence about faith, that comes off as highly hypocritical.

You may disagree, but I believe it would be safer to treat our voting interests – especially if we are voting based strongly on what we feel God’s will is – the same way Jesus told us to handle our “acts of righteousness.”

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them…” – Matthew 6:1

Essentially, there’s nothing wrong with the “righteous act” of voting itself.

Voting is not only a good thing, it’s our right as Americans.

But if we go about it in such a behavior that we are publicly condemning the choice other voters are making and/or their candidate, we might be turning a “righteous act” into a “self-righteous act.”

My point is, we should certainly be prayerful and seek His guidance and direction in choosing which candidate to vote for, but don’t we also need to do the same regarding how we conduct ourselves in these matters?

In other words, let’s cast our votes, not stones.