Dangerous Grace

Posted by Posted by Kirk Bowman On 3:50 PM

Yesterday, I talked about the grace of God in church.

My topic was "running from legalism". A "legalistic, rule bound, don't, shouldn't, can't" type of Christianity is actually a lie about the character of God. God's disposition toward us is grace. He wants to give us all good things - salvation, blessing, peace, abundance, love. Our job - believe and embrace it for our own. Nothing we can do to earn any of it.

There's something about teaching the grace of God the way it comes off in the Bible that feels a little dangerous. I have this feeling that I should hedge things a little. After all, where would people go in their brains and hearts without sufficient guard rails?

But i have to say that the grace of God makes me want to obey God. I just celebrated my 33 year spiritual birthday and I love God more than ever. And His grace continues to amaze me.

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7 comments

  1. praisedetail Said,

    I'm usually a few days behind you guys on the messages till I can podcast it...So- I got out my trusty bible and searched for God's grace. What I found was God's love- whenver His grace is mentioned it is preceded by His love...

    Makes sense to me.Forgiving flaws and giving second chances-well, there has to be some love involved.

    I know this- someone that loves you- they give you parameters-guide lines to keep you safe and happy..and extend grace if you color out of the lines a little.

    And, how do I gain access to this grace? Faith,right?

    C'mon, now- how hard is it to have a little faith in a God who loves us above all.Kinda makes me want to be, I don't know- obedient or something...

    Ok- I'm done preaching to myself on your blog, Pastor Kirk.Thanks, again, for giving us cool stuff to think about, and the opportunity to respond. Happy 33! By the way, the Rnation Youth Church- in the big sanctuary- that is a-mazing... when that reaches critical mass- look out world.












    I know this- the one thing that will compell me to

    Posted on June 4, 2007 at 9:45 PM

     
  2. Davida Said,

    Dangerous grace- this speaks to me. I am wrestling with myself lately. I have hard questions and no one is answering them. The possibility that scriptures that I have seen and heard my entire life might mean something entirely different than what I have been taught rattles me to the core. Is Christianity dangerous? I have a sneaking suspicion that I have only scratched the surface. What I believe to be hard is hard.

    Posted on June 5, 2007 at 4:09 PM

     
  3. greg varney Said,

    your recent messages have challenged and inspired the varneys. it's been like our recent summer showers after the dry spell. thanks for always being perisistent and obedient to God by saying what He's prompting in your spirit.

    Posted on June 14, 2007 at 11:38 PM

     
  4. KHawk Said,

    My favorite word in life is JOY, but grace runs a close second. I thank God every day for my joy...and for his never-ending grace.

    So, I decided to read Galations again today. Wow - my life in this Church is amazing. I see everything with brand new 'glasses.' I absolutely love it. I love looking for the good in life, looking for the positive side of everything, looking for what we CAN do as Christians. The weight of legalism no longer holds me back from living a great life. My Bible says "Christ has freed the believer from bondage to the law (legalism) and has placed him in a position of liberty. Life is good. Life is very, very good!!

    Posted on June 17, 2007 at 5:13 PM

     
  5. Terese Said,

    This idea of Dangerous Grace reminds me of a song by Sarah Groves I've been listening to over and over, called "Something Changed." This is how I am seeing God's grace right now:

    And I cannot make it
    And I cannot fake it
    And I can't afford it
    But it's mine.

    PK - Thank you for teaching the true heart of God!

    Posted on June 22, 2007 at 2:06 PM

     
  6. Davida Said,

    Uh-huh?

    Posted on July 3, 2007 at 2:46 PM

     
  7. philzown Said,

    Guardrails, guide rails, rules and regulations. Do this, don't do that. Let's take a historic look. Dare we mention the Pharisees, Tomas de Tourquemada - First Grand Inquisitor of the Spanish Inquisition (he took guardrails real seriously!!), The Children of God, Jim Jones..... just to touch a few low points! Dangerous grace? Rules seem much more dangerous. Grace, blessing, peace, abundance, love?? Count me in!!!

    Posted on July 24, 2007 at 10:22 PM