We are saying Amen to grace!

After listening to sermon 3 a couple of times, I’m wrestling with the level of importance my contribution is to my relationship with Jesus. A tension has arisen in my mind between the idea of performance-based theology versus saying Amen and putting my weight on Jesus.

On one hand, performance-based theology tells me that my contribution is extremely important to my relationship with Jesus. My righteousness is completely dependent on performance and God loves me more because I do the right things. On the other hand, right now I’m looking at saying “Amen” to God almost like the easy way out… all I have to do is say Amen and God does the rest? That’s too easy… Where does my contribution come in?

But when I actually think about what it means to say Amen to Jesus, I realize that IS my contribution. And I realized that when my focus is more on what I can bring to the table than on what Jesus is offering me, then I’m missing the point of grace. I am right with God simply because of God’s grace AND because of my Amen to that grace. The gospel is twofold like DJ says: Abraham believed, and God credited to him righteousness.

My understanding of grace is twofold as well: first I have to recognize Jesus’s suffering and second I have to say Amen to his promise and BELIEVE that his word constitutes a claim upon my life that binds me!! His sacrifice and promise means nothing without my Amen. That alone is my contribution! God only requires ONE THING of me! Writing that now seems to make so much more sense.

Can’t wait to see lots of you this weekend!!!