4.25- Which is most powerful for spiritual transformation? Guilt or Grace

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4.25-

Sheila and I watched a powerful  interview with Ann Voskamp regarding brokenness.  This lead to our discussion about our own lives and our spiritual growth.  We talked about what is the most useful helper to long term spiritual transformation.  Guilt or Grace.  We agreed it is grace.

Paul, the most prolific writer for Jesus’ followers words that fit here.
Romans 12.
12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Scott Sauls was writing a guest post on Ann Voskamp’s blog
Where there is religious correctness without love there is …”a coliseum culture that develops.  Everyone rallies around a common enemy-the sinner.”

A crowd surrounded a woman caught in adultery and Jesus said, “You without sin cast the first stone.”  When they had left Jesus said. “Where are your accusers?”  There were none left.  Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you.  Go your way and sin no more.”

We tend to attack those who  are like us and pile on shame.  We gather when others have fallen off their pedestal.

Anne Lamott tells it true: “It’s okay to realize that you’re crazy and very damaged.  All the best people are.”
Jesus brothers and sisters thought he was insane.

It is God’s kindness that lead to repentance, not our repentance that leads God to be kind.

The more conservative we are about our beliefs about the Bible the more liberal our loving should  be.

Love bears all things.  Ann Voskamp says that the word “bear” means “shelter or roof or protect”  So we bend ourselves over in unconditional love to protect someone so they have a safe place to become not so much what we want them to be, but what Jesus wants them to be.
Larry Wishard
4.25.17



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