Good Works Do Not Equal Grace

It is “religious season” right now. For all of the C & E “Christians” (Christmas and Easter) this is one of the two times each year when they clean up their act and try to do good things. Religion, by my definition, equals man made rules and regulations, created and used by those in position of 'authority', to manipulate and control others ... while attempting to force them into their perceived image of God, and their particular ideas about how to live and serve God. 

I’m not a fan of religion—I am a fan of a personal relationship with Jesus. For me there is no “season” of doing good. My challenge is 24/7-365 to live in such a way as to honor and serve God in all I do. I don’t give up trifling things for short, 'special' periods of time—calling it a fast. I don’t pray out loud before every meal. I don’t burden myself with religious traditions that do little to help me have a personal relationship with Jesus. 

This time of year is no more “holy” than any other time –God is holy, just, and righteous year round and, by the way, He is not confined to our calendar. So whether we celebrate Easter in March or April matters not to Him. He would much prefer we “celebrate” the significance of Easter every day in our lives. I’m a simple preacher. I don’t think God made the Bible to be overly complicated. Look at this section of scripture: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV).

I ran across this cute, but also poignant short clip about the difference between “good works” and “grace,” and wanted to share it with you today. Enjoy, but also consider ...



We are saved by grace—God’s grace, and God’s grace only. So while I think it is quaint—the traditions man has come up with relating to certain times of the year to give thanks and celebrate—I’m vastly more grateful for God’s amazing grace. Thanks to His grace toward me, my “file” is clean. I do good works, of course, but it is His grace that has set me free. If you are in the Saginaw area I invite you to come check out a church that focuses on a personal relationship with the living God instead of how well you dress or what you have done in your life. I will offer you the opportunity to do good works, but more importantly I will teach you about God’s grace, and how to have a growing, intimate relationship with Him. No suit or tie required—just a willingness and desire to be the person God created you to be. 

Keep the Faith ...

Pastor Dana

~~~~~

 

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Like a Thief in the Night

Last night our church was robbed. Yup. Apparently there aren't enough easy marks around this area to break into, so these cads had to go into the House of God to get their petty spoils. Took two guitars, a guitar amplifier and effects pedal, a keyboard, and a monitor speaker. Snuck in through the gymnasium side door, which apparently had not been pulled shut tightly enough to engage the lock. We don't have theft of contents insurance--only catastrophic coverage--and even if we had, the $1,000 deductable would've made the point moot. So we lost some of our stuff, some of the tools we use for Praise and Worship services.


Just things. 

Things are replaceable. We worry not about somehow replacing them. Our people and friends will rally, work together and find a way to restock the Praise Band's equipment. It's not the loss of 'things' that troubles me enough to compose and publish this short post. No. It's the loss of the soul that troubles me, that gives me pause for great concern.


Obviously, if you are reading this and could help with a donation of musical equipment and/or cash with which to replace the things we have been relieved of, that would be greatly appreciated ... but more importantly ...


Please join me, Pastor Dana, and the rest of SLM's congregation in prayer for the person or persons who stole from us. An act like this--taking from the church, stealing in like cowards under cloak of darkness in the wee hours of the morning--is evidence of lost souls, a sad state of disconnection from God.  A morose madness of the mind, heart, and soul.






Jesus has promised He will come "as a thief in the night," when we least expect it. Let us pray together that whoever took what was not theirs from the church last night will find Him, repent, be forgiven and made whole--a new creation in Christ--before the end of days and the point of no return.


God bless you all , thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank you in advance for your help in whatever capacity it is possible. 

Rejoice in the Lord today, and every day! God is Good!


Your Friend,
Marvin D Wilson (the Old Silly himself)

IMPORTANT REMINDER! If you have not yet, please show your support for SLM by signing up to "Follow" this blog - you will find the "Follow" button in the upper right hand corner of this front page. Receive email updates on new posts, visit often and leave comments! - all of this helps us in our efforts to grow our readership and social network visibility. Also, if you are able and wish to contribute to our ministry with all of its valuable community outreach programs, please CLICK HERE and make a pledge and/or one time donation. We need your help! These programs cost money! Sow your seeds into the garden of the Love of Jesus that we at SLM are devoted to cultivating!