community…

community has been one of the greatest blessings of Jesus in my life…

We need to hear the gospel again and again so that the old, good news of Jesus Christ would reach into these unchartered territories of our lives and fly the flag of its dominion. This is how we are “being saved.” This is what it means to be overcome by the gospel. (Jonathan Parnell referring to 1 Corinthians 15:1-5)

community is the primary way that i hear the gospel over and over. living everyday life with people who are constantly talking about who Jesus is, what he has done, and what he is doing, is how i am “being saved.” i need to be reminded constantly of the gospel. i am quick to forget it when left to myself.

living in community is not easy and takes a lot of work. i am by nature a loner (often called an introvert). i have to overcome my busy schedule, cost of gas and dinners, and pure laziness, but i also know that when i am with my community they have all done the same.

i am very thankful to live life with people who want to live life with me and grow in the gospel. it makes the challenges seem small.

changes…

life has seriously been full of changes lately… not really circumstances but my inner being… i am learning, in some ways for the first time, what it means to live a life with Jesus. i have been a “Christian” since i was somewhere between 6 and 9 (9 being when i got the certificate that says i was “saved”). i have been a part of churches from several demonminations and backgrounds. i went to a ministry school when i was 18. i am a pastor’s kid. i have taught sunday school for kids, youth group, and have even shared on sunday morning for a church service.

i spent life thinking that when i finally was able to do all of the right things then i would be blessed by God and find freedom. i never read my bible enough, i never prayed enough, i wasn’t nice to people like Jesus said i should be, i continued to think things i shouldn’t think, i continued to sin…

i am beginning to learn that i will never do enough, cause there is nothing that i can do… Jesus has done it all.

i am changing because of him. i am learning to allow him in my life since i have spent so much time hiding from him because of my sin. i had never before been able to truly understand the scripture: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1) Jesus doesn’t condemn me and since knowing this truth it has been harder for me to condemn myself as well… this has been one of the biggest breakthroughs in my life.

God’s law is good, holy, and perfect. But a law-driven life devoid of the Good News is miserable. The naked demand, “if you obey, then you will be rewarded,” will not work in-and-of-itself to empower obedience. Instead, what we really need is a “because / therefore” paradigm. Because you are in Christ, because you are reconciled to the Father, because your sins are forgiven, therefore, go and [insert biblical command here]. (by Matt Johnson from theresurgence.com)

i found the above quote today… i think that it sums up what i have been learning.