http://disqus.com/by/CJsPJ/enTue, 25 Aug 2009 09:25:42 -0000http://bdentzy.com/jesus-is-the-center/#comment-15350422<p>There's been some toying around with the idea that the gospel is not so much a message in the sense of words, but an entire lifestyle. Hugh Halter and Matt Smay get into this a little with their book Tangible Kingdom.</p><p>One of the things that has struck me the most in the last year is the concept of Christianity as lifestyle. Reformed Christianity has long held the view that when a person accepts Christ, they are not JUST ascribing to a certain set of beliefs, but are bring themselves into alignment with the full counsel of Scripture. Unfortunately, I hear way too many followers talking only about belief or only about action. In reality, both are modeled in Scripture and most would agree with that (I'm not claiming that faith is insufficient for salvation, just that the Biblical example a la James 3 is that a certain lifestyle accompanies true faith).</p><p>What worries me about some of the more traditional views of gospel is that many of them limit themselves to only the words. The message of God coming to earth in the person of Jesus, dying on the cross for our sins, and defeating death via his resurrection for our eternal life is the greatest message the world has ever encountered! But equally as good and beneficial is the lifestyle that results from that good news; so much so, that I'd be inclined to say that gospel is word AND deed. That's why I tend to talk about "gospel living"; the gospel has power by itself. But in the fallen world we live in we demonstrate just how incredible the gospel is through our actions.</p>CJsPJTue, 25 Aug 2009 09:25:42 -0000http://bdentzy.com/sin-stinks/#comment-14372813<p>I had a prof once describe sin in the eyes of God as the muck that sits at the bottom of an outhouse. That REALLY stinks. Unfortunately, so many of us work so hard to avoid any thought or mention of our sin. But it's a recognition of our sin that helps us better appreciate God's grace and the full weight of what happened on the cross. That doesn't mean we should wallow in it; it just helps us recognize how good we have it. I personally think that having a healthy understanding of our sin is good thing. But like most Followers of Jesus, I also tend to over-emphasize (i.e. complete neglect sin) grace.</p><p>This was short and simple, yet thought provoking. Thanks!</p>CJsPJThu, 06 Aug 2009 15:12:52 -0000