From the book by Dr. Stephen Crosby, Silent Killers of Faith - Overcoming Legalism and Performance Based Religion.
"Nothing stirs religious passions to hatred and murder like preaching a message of freedom to people who think they are already free. Performing religionists do not appreciate being told that God is not impressed with Adamic spritual gymnastics (my note: "aka 'spiritual disciplines' - as important as they can be!") done in the name of Jesus. God will not stand and applaud the somersaults of the Adamic nature trying to please Him. Exposing the deluded confidence of the privileged always gets you stoned. People do not use granite anymore - wagging tongues and feet hustling through the back exit door are the stones of choice..."
"It takes no courage or faith to join something that already seems a success. It takes great faith and stamina to stick with something to make it a success."
"A friend of mine once gave me some advice that, at first blush, seemed a little extreme, but I think actually captured a fundamental reality: "If you are not accused of promoting a casual lifestyle, you are probably not preaching apostolic grace." Folks who emphasize the "high standard" are frequently the most difficult to awaken to the depths of Biblical grace. They are the most likely to accuse those who emphasize grace as having a "low standard". "
Truer words are rarely written. I have always said that you have to look at the depth and body of a pastor's preaching over the course of years, not mere months, to get the full balance of the man. Time has more than proven that no one in Harvest Church is in any danger of being led by a pastor who has quote-unquote "low standards". Nor are they in any danger of being led by a pastor who puts confidence in the flesh of Gentile legalism. This is cause for real rejoicing, in my opinion. My husband, though far less than perfect, has the heart of a spiritual father, and of a shepherd who will not ever leave his post.
Granted, sometimes saints don't have the luxury of getting to know a man over the course of years, but this loss just magnifies the inherent value of continuity in relationships! To get to know a pastor's life and body of teaching over the course of years is the worthy goal - building relationship. To not have that is a deficit, indeed. When we don't have those years with which to discern the leader, this is when we defer to the Biblical concept of authority. When we trust God, when our spiritual leaders exhibit good character, we can trust that all these processes are working themselves out for our good. We can stick and stay for the sake of relationships....that is, when we actually understand the grace of God!
More underlined bits from Dr. Crosby's book next week...
4 comments:
Oh dearest, this is sooooo good!! I've got to get this book!! Looking forward to reading more from this author! We truly are a blessed people at Harvest. Thank you, to you and Pastor Tim, for living out loud your lives for the gospel of Christ. Thank you!
"If you are not accused of promoting a casual lifestyle, you are probably not preaching apostolic grace."
This is fab.u.ous.
Kim,
Ain't it, though? You have to at be accused of it - not "guilty" of it. For Tim and I - it is official. We have been accused. Understandably so, in my opinion! I totally "get" where these folks were/are coming from. Been there. I too was once terrified of "apostolic grace", because I was more aware of/concerned with people's failures than I was aware of the cross of Christ. (It has been a long time ago that we were accused, but was a clear and hurtful accusation, complete with being told that preaching grace was not "healthy for a church". These who were so gracious as to inform us about health, had the unhealthy response, and accessed the "back exit door", saying things as they went - things we later discovered.) I am glad that this specific accusation is a badge of honor, when it is UNTRUE. (Obviously, if a pastor really IS a proponent of sin and "casual living", that is a shame...)
Paul was thusly accused. More than once.
Anyhoo - we've loooong since moved on in a personal sense - but as leaders, we have learned profound and sobering lessons that serve us well to this day. I am sharing excerpts from this book because it is such a thorough exposition of the dangerous pitfall of Christian legalism...and I am blessed by the perception of the author, who has pastored several churches himself. I'm struck by how predictable and universal the responses are of those who put confidence in works of the flesh! When you preach Biblical grace and gospel, people you least expect reveal that their foundations have been shaky at best. As I said...I totally understand that. I am in no position to condemn them. But they certainly have no problem condemning me. You tell me. What does that say? (No, don't answer that. I know you don't mince words - ACK!)
Wendy - thank you, dearest. You can either get the book, or you are more than welcome to borrow ours when we are done!
Matt finished reading this book a few weeks ago and so I picked it up and started reading it on Thursday...it is good, definatly worth the read.
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