• Blog
  • Media
  • Prepare/Enrich
  • Bio
  • Links
Michael Mercer: teacher. writer. father. husband. follower.

Practicing Grace

1/12/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
We live in a day where we feel entitled.  You may disagree or not like that statement, but it doesn't mean it isn't true.  Much of this is being blamed on Millennials, but I believe it is systemic of our entire culture.  If we want something we should have it.  If we think the world should work a certain way, then it should.  And when we don't receive what we want or the world goes a "wrong way" in our opinion then we can instantly become indignant and quick to call everyone out that disagrees with us and if so inclined, demonize them.  I know that I am just as much a part of the problem, but this current culture is really crushing my soul.  I desire to be a part of the solution.  That's not a new year's resolution, that's a statement of faith.  One of consequences of this kind of culture is we hold tightly to what we can control and/or control certain standards, rules, traditions, and values.  This is happening in society and in the church at the same alarming rate.
 
This leads into a life of LEGALISM!  
 
Boy I hated to type that, but I think it must be said.  I read and listen to my liberal friends.  I read and listen to my conservative friends and on both sides each thinks they corner the market on what is right, just, and how one should live.  I'm not saying that there is not truth in them.  I'm saying that once we think we know exactly what has to be done or exactly how one should act, we are on a shiny wood floor in brand new socks.  
 
Nothing is black and white.  And we don't possess full knowledge or wisdom on anything.  Lawyers practice law.  Doctors practice medicine.  This means that they don't know everything and haven't seen every foreseeable circumstance of life or their profession.  I always say that ministers practice theology/ministry.  Just the same we haven't seen it all, no do we have infinite knowledge and wisdom regarding God and his people.  
 
What happens (on both conservative and liberal sides) is that we tend to practice theology by nailing down the "rightness" of scripture or the perfection seen in Jesus' example or what absolute truth is and how every tenet of faith must be defined.
 
As a pastor and theologian I can surmise what God may be saying through the text.  I can challenge God's people to a certain way of living.  I can stand up for those in the margins and be an advocate for all things good and holy.  What I cannot do is bury my very body and soul into my certain thoughts and feelings and interpretations where I forget that people are people, the world is broken, and there is always hope in Jesus.
 
THE ANTIDOTE TO LEGALISM IS GRACE!!
 
What I continually am reminded as I scroll through Facebook and feel outrage against a particular political party or group of people because they aren't doing Christianity the way I think they should is that by going there I am practicing religion...and I need to be practicing grace.
 
I grew up in a time where I was taught grace and how to receive it.  Now it's time I learn to not just receive that grace, but to extend it to others and practice it.  Honestly, I need to practice grace to those that infuriate me most and with those I love the best.
               
I don't need to lay down my convictions, interpretations, and values.  But I need to view those against people I disagree with through the lens of grace.  
 
Practicing grace doesn't mean that those who offend me or the gospel are exonerated from their behavior, but it means I become a prayer warrior for them first.  I practice the principle of best intentions if I don't know them well first.  I talk to the one who offends me and the gospel with love and care.  
 
Practicing grace means I don't always need to comment on every Facebook post and maybe I don't need to stir the pot either.  And when I communicate a conviction and there is an opposing side, grace says that I cannot assume that everyone who believes differently is inherently evil and not a Christian like I am.
 
Only grace will save us from the pit of certain legalism that we are seeing today.
 
Practice grace!

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Michael Mercer

    I like to explore different things about theology and the life of the church.  You might also find things here about me and my family.

    Prayer Requests: 

    mercerprays@gmail.com

    God Is... by Michael Mercer

    Available in Paperback and ebook!

    Picture


    God Is... -God is... is a book that takes a look at Genesis and portrays six true images of God.  There are many ways we think about God that are unhealthy and even destructive.  These six images help turn our attention to who God really is and how we might follow him more closely.  Click the Lulu button below to download your copy!

    Support independent publishing: Buy this e-book on Lulu.

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Advent
    Ash Wednesday
    Baptism
    Book Of John
    Christmas
    Church
    C'Mon Man
    Cross
    Culture
    Current Events
    Discipleship
    Easter
    Elevate
    End Times
    Escape
    Evil
    Expectations
    Faith
    Faithfulness
    Fall Of Man
    Family
    Following
    Freedom
    Funny
    God
    Gospel
    Grace
    Grief
    Halloween
    Happiness
    Hell
    Holy Spirit
    Holy Week
    Hospitality
    Humility
    Hypocrite
    Imitation
    Impartation
    Implantation
    Incarnation
    Jesus
    Jonah
    Journey
    Joy
    Justice
    Kingdom
    Lent
    Life
    Loss
    Love
    Marriage
    Mary
    Memaw
    Mlk
    Monday Car Ride
    New Beginning
    New Beginnings
    New Year
    Nice
    Palm Sunday
    Parables
    Patriotic
    Pharisees
    Praise
    Preaching
    Promise
    Prophecy
    Prophet
    Reckless
    Redemption
    Regeneration
    Rejoice
    Relationships
    Renewal
    Repentance
    Resolution
    Resurrection
    Sabbath
    Sacrifice
    Santa
    Scripture
    Senior Sunday
    Series
    Spiritual Renewal
    Sports
    Story
    Suffering
    Summer
    Technology
    Temptation
    Thankfulness
    Theology
    Transition
    Tuning Our Voice
    Ucc
    Urgency
    Veterans Day
    Visions
    Whining
    Wordle
    Worship

    Archives

    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2020
    April 2020
    August 2019
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010