campaigners 10/24

[No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him]

1 John 3:6

I just read this in 1 John, which is interesting because it ties perfectly with what we talked about at campaigners with the TC students last night. 

We read through Luke 7:36-50, the story of the sinful woman anointing Jesus. One of the things that stood out in discussion was the authenticity of her gratefulness towards him. She had been forgiven much, so she loved much [v.41-50]. We talked about how if we experience the love and grace of God in such a real way as this, we can't help but love. I bet she didn't go home and fall back into her sinful patterns. 

A real life-changing encounter with Christ should change how we live. 

This doesn't mean we all the sudden don't sin, or don't struggle with sin. That is impossible. It does mean that we don't deliberately keep on sinning because we know we will receive grace. [Romans 6]

True grace received in a heart that has been affected by His love desires to live differently...to live in a way pleasing to Him. It's the difference between cheap grace and costly grace. [deitrich bonhoeffer writes about this in the first chapter of the cost of discipleship...read it, it's awesome]

Randi drew a picture of an iceburg with only the tip sticking out of the water. She said how the Lord only reveals a little of the sin in our lives at a time. Can you imagine how overwhelming to see clearly the whole of it? We'd feel too defeated to even think we could overcome. He gives us only glimpses at a time, so we can submit it to Him and allow Him to work in us with His perfect timing and grace. 

We should not keep on sinning so as to receive more grace, we need more grace anyway for all the un-dealt with sin that is already there. 

I love this 1 John verse. It is hard in a good way. It makes me wonder about disobedience in my life and how when I act in defiance of Him, I'm living as if I haven't seen or known him. That breaks my heart. 

I want to live continually aware of the grace and love I have received, to live a life pouring thankfulness out, just like the sinful woman in Luke 7.