What do you know?

 

"All truth passes through three stages: 

First, it is ridiculed. 

Secondly, it is violently opposed. 

Thirdly, it is accepted as being self-evident." -- Schopenhauer

 

Gentle Reader,

Before you go back to watching Paris Hilton and the circus that people call "news" how about spending some time on a reality check. That is to say join with me in my secret place where I share some information that will enable you to get out of this world alive!

 Take some time to drink your favorite coffee and really get down! I want to teach you about the "ABC's" of life. What life? Why yours of course. So let me start from the beginning rather than the middle as some will wander in late rather like your first day in a new school. 

So if you come in the middle of this you'll just have to find the beginning but don't worry I knew you'll have a lot of company so don't all crowd to the front of your blog as it is top heavy and may tip over at the slightest wave.  We'll leave a trail of bread crumbs so you can catch up with those who got here on time.

 

Ready? Ok  

WHAT IS GRACE?

What exactly is Grace? Though Grace is unquestionably a foundational pillar of our faith (for how well we all know, "For by Grace you are saved...," Eph. 2:8-9), have we ever sincerely and honestly pondered this question and its ramifications? Generally, and really quite surprisingly, it seems we are not inclined to give such fundamental questions serious consideration.

It seems the common inclination is to treat the answer as something that we all somehow automatically agree with and answer to, and yet find ourselves never really defining or solidifying. We are prone to treat the issue as a "given," as if somehow everyone simply understands from the beginning what is meant. We don't ask of others, and others don't ask of us. This is an "unwritten rule" that we honor without even being aware of what we are doing. We are quite agreeable in moving on to other matters, those which seemingly have the "real significance" or more "immediacy" in our lives.

Perhaps, too, if we are honest with ourselves, we often feel inadequate with such issues, and therefore are inclined to leave the answer to "the pros." That is certainly the easy way out, is quite tempting, most assuredly is readily available, is certainly encouraged, and rarely are we encouraged to ponder such questions ourselves. This elevation of another, however, is exactly what Paul did not approve of, as when he said, "Get up, for we are men like yourselves."

Why not just look up "Grace" in a common dictionary and be done with it? Is not that, after all, what dictionaries are for? Would we then have the proper definition? Would that satisfy us? Is it, in fact, as is the common Christian definition, "unmerited favor"? 

"Wheeow (Denis says, wiping sweat from his brow) enough for today Sit down and give this some thought and we'll take up some common Perceptions and/or Misconceptions about Grace tommorow or whenever you show up!  

 Love , Denis