Most Friday mornings I rise up earlier than usual and join a group of Christian men to study the Bible. Now, I am not one of the main movers and shakers for this particular group. I just visit. I mostly like to sit and listen as we progress verse by verse through one of the books of the Bible. Much of what is shared is quite subjective and the views around the room are from several differing perspectives. There is a lot of laughter and friendly banter back and forth among the men. Though they each undoubtedly come for varying personal reasons, the basic theme is that we are all Christians who want to fulfill their portion of Christ’s mission together. To do so there is a sincere and somewhat successful effort to lay aside each one’s particular church’s viewpoint in order to flow with the rest of the group.
And then there’s me
In years past, as a member of a local Assembly of God church, my participation in this group was quite similar to the rest of the men in the group. My voice could easily be heard as I participated in the group study and jovial rapport among the men. I felt quite comfortable in my “place” and “stature” with these brothers, especially since my own background afforded me what I considered to be superior spiritual and biblical knowledge and experience.
And then my world caved in
Though I will refrain from morbid details here, it is safe to say that about three and a half years ago, my life, my marriage, my basic persona and view of who I was and what I was about hit a wall dead-on. And as I was bit by bit pulled from that rubble, I was forced to the conclusion that my understanding about everything was subject to complete review, revision, rejection, reboot and repair.
All of this made it easier to start all over
This process has been going on for over three years now. And last year we, my dear and lovely wife and I, took another significant step in the process by dropping out of the local church scene. That was a tough decision that took twenty months of thought and discussion between us. But when we finally made the decision, we knew it was the absolute best thing we could have done for ourselves. Who woulda thunk?!
Life after “church-life”
That simple (I did not say “easy”) decision has been the single most significant catalyst in our personal growth in Christ. Suddenly we knew unequivocally that our spiritual life was ours to live and be responsible for. The liberation from the subconscious and subtle lure to conform to the group is wondrously and joyously intoxicating! We could not, at first, have given anyone our thoroughly articulated thesis for non-ecclesiastical involvement, but we knew it felt great!
My purpose here in this blog
The singularly most powerful idea that has opened up in my understanding is the complete and total accomplishment of God through Christ on the cross. He did not redeem just a few people who come to a place of faith, but he redeemed all mankind regardless of whether they believe or not. So my intention in writing this weblog is to provide the biblical basis for this fabulous concept. Such as: “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV)
Who was reconciled to God? The world was reconciled to God… which is the entire race of human beings known as mankind. And unlike the way we taught in the world of evangelical Christendom, believing does not generate the truth Paul gave us in this text. Believing allows us to experience the reality of the freedom, the peace, the joy and all the fruit of the spirit that is ours in Christ, but the redemption purchased by Jesus with his own blood… that work is 100% finished!
Yes, I am convinced that the everyone, everywhere is a full and bonafide beneficiary of Jesus redeeming sacrifice at Calvary. They are all in! We are all in! Hallelujah!
Friends… there is NO BAD NEWS in the GOOD NEWS!!!
