Over the past week I have been considering God's grace in my life. The reality of growing up in the Pentecostal church meant that I didn't hear much about grace. Thus, I didn't understand what it really entailed. I understood that Jesus loves me. I understood that I was born under the curse of sin and death. I understood that God loved me so much that He sent His only son as a sacrifice so that I may be in relationship with Him. Grace, as I understood it... well that was for the Southern Baptists. At that time in my life I had no understanding of all the various denominations and sects of Christianity. The only theologians I knew, and I use that term loosely, were those televangelists for which people in our church held in high regard. Grace was the term people used to excuse their sin and stave off guilt and shame. It was not for us Spirit filled believers. No, we were beat down and told that one wrong thought or action would cause us to live an eternity in Hell should we not repent right away. It was the projection of an angry God of the Old Testament pointing His finger and sending you to your room with no dinner. Whether or not he spoke with you again was determined by your willingness to seek Him first.
Now before I go further, I want to say that I am thankful for my Pentecostal heritage. Throughout my life I was exposed to many spiritual paths from Christianity, Paganism, New Age/Thought, and Spiritualism to name a few. It was my Grandfather and Grandmother Legate that made sure I went to church on Sunday morning and various nights throughout the week. They instilled in me a love for God and His Spirit. Pentecostals are vibrant people full of faith that love God with their whole heart. I wouldn't change sitting on the second row piano side at Word of Life Tabernacle for anything. It impacted me to be the person I am today.
Now after Bible college, nursing school, and two master's degrees I can say that I have messed up enough to understand God's grace. I have read the works of true theologians from the beginning of Christianity through the past several centuries. I am currently reading the Works of Jonathon Edwards. He is an American theologian rooted in Reformed theology. It is his work that causes me to ponder both the grace and the glory of God tonight. In fact, His glory and grace are deep realities that cannot be seperated. It is the grace of God that strengthens God's glory. It is the nature of glory to bring good things out of bad, and transformation out of tragedy.
As I have shared bits of my story in this blog, in church services, men's conferences, seminaries, prisons, on radio, and with individuals the truth for me is this... God's grace is far reaching and goes into places of darkness where no other could ever go. The answer to guilt and shame... grace. Why? Because God's grace triumphs, trasnforms, and brings healing that ultimately causes His glory to shine bright. Where there is brightness there is light, and when there is light darkness flees.
Two truths I know... God loves you/me, and His grace is far reaching. That my friends is truth regardless of you sitting in a pew, or running from Him.
Check out these books:
The Works of Jonathan Edwards
http://www.amazon.com/works-Jonathan-Edwards-Tryon/dp/1174972300
Reflections On The Psalms by C.S. Lewis
http://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Psalms-Harvest-Book-Lewis/dp/015676248X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358045381&sr=1-1&keywords=reflections+on+the+psalms
The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis
http://www.amazon.com/Weight-Glory-C-S-Lewis/dp/0060653205/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358045451&sr=1-1&keywords=the+weight+of+glory
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
http://www.amazon.com/Mere-Christianity-Gift-C-Lewis/dp/0061350214/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358045516&sr=1-1&keywords=mere+christianity
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