Organic Grace Blog







  • Ted's Blog
  • Home

​“I Would Rather Die, Than Keep On...”

7/19/2017

0 Comments

 
She had been a faithful and loyal church member for more than sixty years, volunteering for various committees and programs, and attempting to fulfill everything the pastor advocated in order to “be like Jesus.” Suddenly, unexpectedly, she could cope no more, and she suffered a debilitating nervous breakdown. In the midst of her depression and despair, she cried out, “I would rather die, than keep on trying to be a ‘good Christian,’ or keep trying to ‘be like Jesus’!” Such an expression of religious “burn-out” has been voiced by innumerable people who have “come to the end of themselves” in their religious efforts.

Religious people are often aghast when they hear one of their own voice such a cry of defeat, but rather than admit their own frustration and inability, they often keep on committing themselves to increased fervor in their attempts to please God. God, on the other hand, is undoubtedly pleased when He hears such honest admission of inability and willingness to die. He has been waiting all along for His people to recognize that death is the prerequisite and precursor to life as He intends. Writing to the Roman Christians, Paul explained, “If you are living according to the flesh, you must die” (Rom. 8:13), “conformed to His death” (Phil. 3:10).

Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ” (that occurred when He died on the cross in our place – as us – on Calvary hill); it is no longer I who lives (the Christian life, attempting to “be like Jesus”) but Christ lives in me (for only He can live the Christ-life as His Spirit indwells our human spirit (Rom. 8:9,16), and manifests His life (II Cor. 4:10,11) in our behavior); and the life I now live (as a Christian, a Christ-one) I live by faith (chosen receptivity of His activity) in the Son of God (JESUS) who loved me and gave Himself for me (in His redemptive offering and the continuing restorative dynamic of His life).”
​~ Jim Fowler
0 Comments

    About this blog:

    These are articles that I find of interest.
    Some I wrote, most are written by others.  

    No claims of absolute originality are made for this material. As one man said, "I milk a lot of cows, but I churn my own butter."

    Archives

    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014

    Categories

    All
    50 Scriptures Incl. Can't Explain
    Believe To Receive
    Bible Timeline
    Grace Expose Heart
    Grace Isn't Greasy
    Grace Vs Freewill
    Grace Vs. Inclusion
    Grace Vs. Wrath
    Hebrews 6:4-6
    Inclusion Misleads
    Is God Sovereign?
    Organic Grace
    Positive Eschatology
    Radical Grace
    The Full-Grace Gospel
    What Is God's Rest
    Will Hell Be Forever?
    Your Wrong Theology

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.