Thank you, Zach. As I’ve come to expect, your teaching does just this: nudges me, makes me think, and reveals something I’ve been wrestling with myself.
Today it was this: “We can draw a straight line between how we believe God sees us and how we see ourselves.” I struggle daily to understand how so many live lives filled with so much hate towards others. This sentence today was a revelation. It’s self- hatred that is rotting humanity. I have no solution, but I thank God for showing me this.
So glad it was helpful, Ann. That concept has really helped me too, especially when I consider how some people acquired their belief in how God sees them. I have tremendous empathy for those who were handed a vengeful and vindictive version of god.
I was impacted by the words unconditional love -no strings attached. I keep focussing on my sinful behaviours and struggle to accept that love in the here and now only seeing it in the punishment of Jesus in my place. But I hear you. No strings attached I am loved
The Spirit of Christ, sorry Republican brethren, is progressive. That’s not to say Democratic, but it is forward moving. Christ continues to say, through souls brave enough to speak a living, breathing and active gospel, “You have heard it said, but I tell you…”
That is not a message for every generation but the generations that receive it, when it comes, must embrace a progressive spirit and be willing to work outside the camp. Joseph and Mary come to mind. That message always smashes idols and disrupts the comforts of current theology. The prophets become known as blasphemers. Still, the spirit of God is never bound by the letter. The goal of the Spirit is love and it sweeps in from any direction it desires, often, much to our chagrin. These are iconoclastic times we are living through. They show up sooner or later in history and here we are again. Maybe a gay person is not going to hell for eternity. Maybe a woman has standing in the church beyond making sandwiches and iced tea. Maybe the whole structure is progressing. On the other side of the coin, the unwieldy nuances of living in the Spirit which sometimes are at odds with discipline and church structure, require humility and devotion lest they become radical nutjoberry. That’s actually how Christian Nationalism has thrived in direct contradiction to scripture. “ The Lord told me..” The Nationalists can just as easily say, “You’ve heard it said, but I tell you…” but love is the guidepost here. They will know you by your love.. That is what will ultimately prevail.
YES. I came to the realization a few years ago, in conflict with my parents and extended family, that ‘Truth’ is a person. Jesus says, I am the way, the Truth, and the life. So “Truth” is not an objective principle that is somehow separate from the compassionate loving person of Jesus. And yes, Jesus is also blunt and tells it like it is, but always in service of revealing the Father and the kingdom.
Yep. Sometimes people, Christians included, get in the way of this amazing grace. And that is one of the saddest things I’ve ever seen, heard, witnessed or experienced.
This message was so needed today. I needed to be reminded that our view of God came from what we have been taught all our lives. I have a friend send me a group of Bible quotes. When they seemed difficult to connect with each other and to figure out the reason she sent them, I asked her. Her response was that she needed to make sure I was not "deceived" about death. Now, I am trying to work this out. When one has certain interpretations of the Bible, one can certainly find Bible passages to back up one's beliefs. Now, to get on with the business of loving my neighbor.
Great post, Zach. Resonant, and helpful. But how are we to think about the angry, even vengeful God portrayed in the Old Testament? Can we 'ignore' the descriptions of a divine personality that makes distinctions between warring tribes, rages, and punishes? The impression of a 'vengeful and vindictive' God is not without Old Testament support.
This is a great question. The short answer is that Jesus must be our filter. As Christians, we believe that Jesus is the fullest picture we have of who God is and what God is like. So if a depiction of God in the biblical text contradicts the person, work, or teachings of Jesus, we must choose Jesus. I talk about it more related specifically to the Canaanite Genocide in this sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUokTRyQUXY&t=14s
Question for you, Zach. The notion expressed here that ‘God’s grace is available; all you have to do is reach out and take it,’ has, in my evangelical upbringing, meant that grace is available, but you have to do a lot of stuff - pray the right prayer, say the right words, confess your sins and sign the right statement of faith in order to ‘reach out and take it.’ And once we pray the prayer, we have to continually ‘reach out and take it’ through obedience, confession, etc. Our churches, then, become places who treat people as ‘projects,’ whose mission is to ‘attract the unsaved’ so we can convince them to ‘reach out and take it’ so that they can ‘get saved’ and then to ensure they walk accordingly once they do. As I understand it, this was not the position of the early church. This notion that we have to ‘reach out and take it’ (by my definition, not yours) changes everything about how and why we do church now, how we worship and do missions, and even how we treat our neighbors. Many other authors I know you’ve read (like Rohr, Hart, Bell, Jersak) argue that God’s grace has already given to us at the cross. What is needed is not to ‘take it’ but to live in awareness of what we already have; to live Life in the Kingdom, to live ‘on earth as it is in heaven’ by living in the grace Christ already gave. Our job as churches then would be to raise the awareness that God’s love and grace has already been given, to see Christ as already incarnate in people and creation, and to build communities of people who live out this amazing truth. (Salt and light!) I realize this is probably what you mean by ‘reaching out and taking it’ but I think that phrase means something very different in the typical church today. These are all new concepts to me after a lifetime of ministry in the evangelical mega-church world, but I’m trying to understand them. They are radically life-changing if true. What are your thoughts?????
Hey Joe - it’s a great question and I have a whole bunch of thoughts on it! Probably too many for this space, but here is the short version: I think we can pendulum swing away from the toxic “God only loves you if you obey” to “God doesn’t care what you do.” In my opinion, they are equally harmful. God’s grace, hope, and love are constantly being offered to all people, but God cares tremendously about what we do—more specifically how we love ourselves and our neighbors, especially the most vulnerable. I’ve seen lots of Christians leave behind legalism only to embrace moral relativism which enables them to justify treating others hatefully because “God doesn’t care what we do.”
I don’t think that’s what you’re saying here, but it’s why I’m always quick to point out that the way we respond to God’s offer of grace really does matter. At Restore, we often say “everyone is welcome, but not everything is tolerated.” All people have a seat at the table, but that doesn’t mean you can treat people however you want without consequence.
Hey, Zach. Just to clarify, my question was not intended in any way to imply that we get grace so now we ‘get to do whatever we want to do.’ His kindness leads me to repentance and a deeper desire to give all of my life to Him. (At least for me). My question was really about what we have to do to ‘grab’ God’s grace to begin with. In many settings there seems to be a lot of ‘doing’ involved in order to obtain that grace, especially depending on what church background you’re from. You’re right…it might be a longer conversation than we can have here….that’s OK. Love your teaching!
I love your question and the story of the Prodigal Son comes to mind. The father's answer to both his sons was "all that I have is yours." Reach out and take it may mean, celebrate that you are loved and cherished and part of God's family whether you know it or not. Pure grace.
Our perspectives color everything. Not a single one of us is perfect. Judgment seems to be so deeply ingrained in our society—or perhaps even in our humanity. So many “Christians” equate their faith with pointing out others’ mistakes and flaws but not recognizing that in doing this, their behavior shows a lack in understanding, empathy and ultimately, love. I think that’s the meaning behind picking at the sawdust in your neighbor’s eye, but ignoring the plank in your own. The perspective is that our sins are mistakes that are punishable by God. But even that perspective can be shifted. When we choose to see the sin or the mistake as something that has natural causes, God isn’t saying “If you do this, I will punish you and it may even cost your seat in Heaven.” God is actually saying that some things have consequences that might cause us grief or pain and because He Loves us, he shares that certain actions have natural consequences. This isn’t to punish anyone. The intention behind it is to hopefully steer us from hurting ourselves. It’s more of a neutral statement because humans have free will to live life how we want to.
Also I just wanted to mention my love for Rachel Evans Held. She had so much insight to share.🩷
Our perspectives color everything. Not a single one of us is perfect. Judgment seems to be so deeply ingrained in our society—or perhaps even in our humanity. So many “Christians” equate their faith with pointing out others’ mistakes and flaws but not recognizing that in doing this, their behavior shows a lack in understanding, empathy and ultimately, love. I think that’s the meaning behind picking at the sawdust in your neighbor’s eye, but ignoring the plank in our own. The perspective is that our sins are mistakes that are punishable by God. But even that perspective can be shifted. When we choose to see the sin or the mistake as something that has natural causes, God isn’t saying “If you do this, I will punish you and it may even cost your seat in Heaven.” God is actually saying that some things have consequences that might cause us grief or pain and because He Loves us, he shares that certain actions have natural consequences. This isn’t to punish anyone. The intention behind it is to hopefully steer us from hurting ourselves. It’s more of a neutral statement because humans have free will to live life how we want to.
Also I just wanted to mention my love for Rachel Evan’s Held. She had so much insight to share.🩷
Thank you, Zach. As I’ve come to expect, your teaching does just this: nudges me, makes me think, and reveals something I’ve been wrestling with myself.
Today it was this: “We can draw a straight line between how we believe God sees us and how we see ourselves.” I struggle daily to understand how so many live lives filled with so much hate towards others. This sentence today was a revelation. It’s self- hatred that is rotting humanity. I have no solution, but I thank God for showing me this.
So glad it was helpful, Ann. That concept has really helped me too, especially when I consider how some people acquired their belief in how God sees them. I have tremendous empathy for those who were handed a vengeful and vindictive version of god.
I was impacted by the words unconditional love -no strings attached. I keep focussing on my sinful behaviours and struggle to accept that love in the here and now only seeing it in the punishment of Jesus in my place. But I hear you. No strings attached I am loved
You are so loved!
The Spirit of Christ, sorry Republican brethren, is progressive. That’s not to say Democratic, but it is forward moving. Christ continues to say, through souls brave enough to speak a living, breathing and active gospel, “You have heard it said, but I tell you…”
That is not a message for every generation but the generations that receive it, when it comes, must embrace a progressive spirit and be willing to work outside the camp. Joseph and Mary come to mind. That message always smashes idols and disrupts the comforts of current theology. The prophets become known as blasphemers. Still, the spirit of God is never bound by the letter. The goal of the Spirit is love and it sweeps in from any direction it desires, often, much to our chagrin. These are iconoclastic times we are living through. They show up sooner or later in history and here we are again. Maybe a gay person is not going to hell for eternity. Maybe a woman has standing in the church beyond making sandwiches and iced tea. Maybe the whole structure is progressing. On the other side of the coin, the unwieldy nuances of living in the Spirit which sometimes are at odds with discipline and church structure, require humility and devotion lest they become radical nutjoberry. That’s actually how Christian Nationalism has thrived in direct contradiction to scripture. “ The Lord told me..” The Nationalists can just as easily say, “You’ve heard it said, but I tell you…” but love is the guidepost here. They will know you by your love.. That is what will ultimately prevail.
Yes, love MUST be the central ethic!
YES. I came to the realization a few years ago, in conflict with my parents and extended family, that ‘Truth’ is a person. Jesus says, I am the way, the Truth, and the life. So “Truth” is not an objective principle that is somehow separate from the compassionate loving person of Jesus. And yes, Jesus is also blunt and tells it like it is, but always in service of revealing the Father and the kingdom.
Yep. Sometimes people, Christians included, get in the way of this amazing grace. And that is one of the saddest things I’ve ever seen, heard, witnessed or experienced.
Totally agree, Frankie
This message was so needed today. I needed to be reminded that our view of God came from what we have been taught all our lives. I have a friend send me a group of Bible quotes. When they seemed difficult to connect with each other and to figure out the reason she sent them, I asked her. Her response was that she needed to make sure I was not "deceived" about death. Now, I am trying to work this out. When one has certain interpretations of the Bible, one can certainly find Bible passages to back up one's beliefs. Now, to get on with the business of loving my neighbor.
A wonderful reminder. Just what I needed. Thank you.
Great post, Zach. Resonant, and helpful. But how are we to think about the angry, even vengeful God portrayed in the Old Testament? Can we 'ignore' the descriptions of a divine personality that makes distinctions between warring tribes, rages, and punishes? The impression of a 'vengeful and vindictive' God is not without Old Testament support.
This is a great question. The short answer is that Jesus must be our filter. As Christians, we believe that Jesus is the fullest picture we have of who God is and what God is like. So if a depiction of God in the biblical text contradicts the person, work, or teachings of Jesus, we must choose Jesus. I talk about it more related specifically to the Canaanite Genocide in this sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUokTRyQUXY&t=14s
Question for you, Zach. The notion expressed here that ‘God’s grace is available; all you have to do is reach out and take it,’ has, in my evangelical upbringing, meant that grace is available, but you have to do a lot of stuff - pray the right prayer, say the right words, confess your sins and sign the right statement of faith in order to ‘reach out and take it.’ And once we pray the prayer, we have to continually ‘reach out and take it’ through obedience, confession, etc. Our churches, then, become places who treat people as ‘projects,’ whose mission is to ‘attract the unsaved’ so we can convince them to ‘reach out and take it’ so that they can ‘get saved’ and then to ensure they walk accordingly once they do. As I understand it, this was not the position of the early church. This notion that we have to ‘reach out and take it’ (by my definition, not yours) changes everything about how and why we do church now, how we worship and do missions, and even how we treat our neighbors. Many other authors I know you’ve read (like Rohr, Hart, Bell, Jersak) argue that God’s grace has already given to us at the cross. What is needed is not to ‘take it’ but to live in awareness of what we already have; to live Life in the Kingdom, to live ‘on earth as it is in heaven’ by living in the grace Christ already gave. Our job as churches then would be to raise the awareness that God’s love and grace has already been given, to see Christ as already incarnate in people and creation, and to build communities of people who live out this amazing truth. (Salt and light!) I realize this is probably what you mean by ‘reaching out and taking it’ but I think that phrase means something very different in the typical church today. These are all new concepts to me after a lifetime of ministry in the evangelical mega-church world, but I’m trying to understand them. They are radically life-changing if true. What are your thoughts?????
Hey Joe - it’s a great question and I have a whole bunch of thoughts on it! Probably too many for this space, but here is the short version: I think we can pendulum swing away from the toxic “God only loves you if you obey” to “God doesn’t care what you do.” In my opinion, they are equally harmful. God’s grace, hope, and love are constantly being offered to all people, but God cares tremendously about what we do—more specifically how we love ourselves and our neighbors, especially the most vulnerable. I’ve seen lots of Christians leave behind legalism only to embrace moral relativism which enables them to justify treating others hatefully because “God doesn’t care what we do.”
I don’t think that’s what you’re saying here, but it’s why I’m always quick to point out that the way we respond to God’s offer of grace really does matter. At Restore, we often say “everyone is welcome, but not everything is tolerated.” All people have a seat at the table, but that doesn’t mean you can treat people however you want without consequence.
Hey, Zach. Just to clarify, my question was not intended in any way to imply that we get grace so now we ‘get to do whatever we want to do.’ His kindness leads me to repentance and a deeper desire to give all of my life to Him. (At least for me). My question was really about what we have to do to ‘grab’ God’s grace to begin with. In many settings there seems to be a lot of ‘doing’ involved in order to obtain that grace, especially depending on what church background you’re from. You’re right…it might be a longer conversation than we can have here….that’s OK. Love your teaching!
I love your question and the story of the Prodigal Son comes to mind. The father's answer to both his sons was "all that I have is yours." Reach out and take it may mean, celebrate that you are loved and cherished and part of God's family whether you know it or not. Pure grace.
Thanks, Melissa! That is more what my question was about. I appreciate your thoughts!
Our perspectives color everything. Not a single one of us is perfect. Judgment seems to be so deeply ingrained in our society—or perhaps even in our humanity. So many “Christians” equate their faith with pointing out others’ mistakes and flaws but not recognizing that in doing this, their behavior shows a lack in understanding, empathy and ultimately, love. I think that’s the meaning behind picking at the sawdust in your neighbor’s eye, but ignoring the plank in your own. The perspective is that our sins are mistakes that are punishable by God. But even that perspective can be shifted. When we choose to see the sin or the mistake as something that has natural causes, God isn’t saying “If you do this, I will punish you and it may even cost your seat in Heaven.” God is actually saying that some things have consequences that might cause us grief or pain and because He Loves us, he shares that certain actions have natural consequences. This isn’t to punish anyone. The intention behind it is to hopefully steer us from hurting ourselves. It’s more of a neutral statement because humans have free will to live life how we want to.
Also I just wanted to mention my love for Rachel Evans Held. She had so much insight to share.🩷
Our perspectives color everything. Not a single one of us is perfect. Judgment seems to be so deeply ingrained in our society—or perhaps even in our humanity. So many “Christians” equate their faith with pointing out others’ mistakes and flaws but not recognizing that in doing this, their behavior shows a lack in understanding, empathy and ultimately, love. I think that’s the meaning behind picking at the sawdust in your neighbor’s eye, but ignoring the plank in our own. The perspective is that our sins are mistakes that are punishable by God. But even that perspective can be shifted. When we choose to see the sin or the mistake as something that has natural causes, God isn’t saying “If you do this, I will punish you and it may even cost your seat in Heaven.” God is actually saying that some things have consequences that might cause us grief or pain and because He Loves us, he shares that certain actions have natural consequences. This isn’t to punish anyone. The intention behind it is to hopefully steer us from hurting ourselves. It’s more of a neutral statement because humans have free will to live life how we want to.
Also I just wanted to mention my love for Rachel Evan’s Held. She had so much insight to share.🩷