Monday, April 17, 2006

Grace?

I recently contributed the following (below; edited) to my high school class list. (It stemmed from a discussion about morality.)

What do you think? Is it going too far? Is it possible to be "too free"? Is there a balance between grace and truth, or do they never conflict? Relevant verse recently brought to my attention: "The Word [Christ] ... full of grace and truth." - John 1:14. Can we be guilty of too much grace? Where is the line between grace and tolerance? When should we take a stand against something? Where are we guilty of "ungrace"?

I'd be interested your thoughts on the subject.

(The picture is of Babette, from "Babette's Feast." Those who have read What's so Amazing about Grace? by Philip Yancey will know who she is.)

Paul says in I Corinthians 6:12, "'Everything is permissible for me'-but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible for me'-but I will not be mastered by anything."

When life is about what we can get away with, we've missed the point. Christ should be our purpose, our reason for living. "For me to live is Christ." (Philippians 1:21)

On the other hand, we must not forget this: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galations 5:1)

God has been particularly convicting me about judging/condemning others.

"But Lord," I say, "how can I let Joe be completely free? I don't trust him. He needs to be kept in line! I need to show him where he needs to improve--where he needs to grow--and to make sure he is aware of his weaknesses. I need to take a stand against his wrong decisions. I need to balance my praise for him with at least *some* criticism."

God: "I've set *you* completely free, haven't I?"

Me: "Umm... I guess so."

God: "Then let me worry about Joe. Just point Joe to me, and trust him with me. Let me do the convicting. That's my role. I may ask you to be part of things, but that's not the point. Focus on what I want *you* to do. Then you'll experience freedom--and growth--like never before. And so will Joe."
ar TORONTO, CANADA | 2023+

APRIL


MAY

27 Sat (1) 11am Commencement speaker at R. University, (2) ~3pm+ time w/ V/AR+
29 Mon (1) 9:30am VT prayer, (2) 3pm mtg DerCh - Mississauga
30 Tue (1) 10am ph call (AA), (2) 5:30pm video mtg (IsTan), (3) 8pm neighbourhood prayer mtg

JUNE
1 Thu (1) 11:30am Zoom mtg (LM), (2) 4pm mtg (VS,KBr)
2 Fri (1) 10:30am ph call (PVDW; SL w/ boys; ~J working)
3 Sat SL w/ boys and MG
5 Mon (1) 9:30am VT prayer mtg, (2) 2pm Europe call, (3) 5pm mtg/walk (YM)
6 Tue (1) 11:30am lunch (GD) - St. Jacobs, (2) 4pm mtg (AF) - Cambridge, (3) 7:30pm worship night
9 Fri ~J's b'day
10 Sat North Bay trip
13 Tue 11am mtg (DAy) (~J school trip w/ ~Co | text BD)
14 Wed 9:30am time w/ BD
15 Thu 4:30pm video mtg (Paul T.)
16 Fri (1) 9am video med appt, (2) 15-km run (Prayer Journey "warm-up")
17 Sat Prayer Journey (my own: 50km GTA bike-ride; Jessie's: 5KM) and speaking at GTA after-party
23-25 Fri-Sat poss. SL
26 Mon 2pm Europe monthly call
29 ... July 7 Thu-Fri poss. holiday in Arkansas

JULY
... 7 Thu-Fri poss. holiday in Arkansas
~8-17 SA+ in Toronto; P/H Bell likely visiting too
15 Sat aft+ baptism (Saj; NaB may be coming)
17-21 Mon-Fri Kids Kapers camp
24 Mon 2:45pm med. appt
26 Wed (1) 11am video mtg (SM), (2) 3pm Zoom mtg (SMa,SB), (3) 7pm ~J speaking at Greenhouse/Zoe - UofT downtown
27 Thu 10am video MVT board mtg
31 Mon 3:05pm med. appt
July/Aug CCWM board mtg / AGM

AUGUST
2 Wed 11am video mtg (SM+)
6-12 Sun-Fri Cottage w/ O/DN+ and UB/AC - Windermere; plus Muskoka
19 Sat poss. ~J fam beach day - Brighton area
25-29 Fri-Tue MoveIn staff retreat - southern Ontario

2023+
Sep 21 Thu - MVT board mtg
Sep 23 Sat poss. date of GV memorial
Sep 24 Sun ~Ch's b'day
Sep ~26-28 Poss. time in Lushnjë, Albania
Sep 29 - Oct 6 MoveIn Europe Conference+ - Durrës, Albania
Oct 21 Sat poss./unlikely date of GV memorial
Oct 21-27 Dollar-a-Day week
Early Nov Poss. fundraising event - Niagara
Nov-Jan Poss. time in India - Goa; Philippines - Manila+; Indonesia - Jakarta/Bali; LA/San Diego