Religion Grab Bag (2)

I always wondered about people who will absolutely refuse to receive something for free. There is a hint of nobility in wanting to avoid being a mooch, but the opposite of being a mooch is not necessarily being responsible. It's being proud.

I find that in MOST areas of life, the obvious extreme paths are the most followed but the least wise. Maybe holiness does not consist so much of refusing to do certain things but rather achieving a balance based on personal convictions built from Biblical principles. The most important message in the Bible is the atonement. Christ has paid for our sins, and we did nothing to deserve it. That's grace. Receiving something you did not earn.

Religious Act of the Week: Letting Pride Get in the Way of Receiving Grace.

So you know that you are religious if you are so proud that you refuse to allow unwarranted blessings to come your way. I've also found that people who will not allow themselves to be served out of grace will never serve others out of grace. My mind goes to Peter's interaction with the Lord when He wanted to wash the disciple's feet.

What kind of people will we be if someone must pay to receive our kindness? We are no better than a corporation with a slick marketing campaign. I believe God has called us to more than religion. There is something beyond the same old formula of "Do this to get that" that so many religions are selling.

We are God's people. We are not selling anything. The drink we have is free to anyone who thirsts. All you have to do is believe. Forget trying to pay for your salvation with perfect attendance or excellent leadership or forced smiles, and rest in grace.

And that means allowing yourself to be unexpectedly blessed by the Lord or others.