from grace to grace

"How wonderful to know that Christianity is more than a padded down pew or a dim cathedral, but it is a real, living, daily experience which goes on from grace to grace."

Jim Elliot

I've been going through Galatians with each of the Bible Studies I lead through StudentLife and the theme of justification by faith alone pervades each study. But what a delicate balance it is! It is easy to look at stringent religious organisations and judge that they are trying to earn salvation by their efforts. But what about my heart?

In Romans 9:31-32 Paul explains that "Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works..."

Here we see that legalism is not defined by mere obedience but by the value the subject places on obedience. It makes me wonder if I obey God because I believe (in some small, unconscious area of my heart) that my salvation hinges on personal effort or if I obey in faith.

That raises the question; How do I obey in faith? I think we must first look at what we are to have faith in. The answer is Christ. We believe that God is faithful to keep his covenant with Abraham, we believe that the seed from which Abraham has many descendants is Christ (see Galatians 3) and we are included in the covenant that God makes with His people saying that He has wiped away our sins and forgiven our iniquities (See Hebrews 10).

I think we often forget how much of an impact perspective has in our walk with the Lord. If I don't have faith, I am unable to participate in the freedom of the Christian life. I begin to have faith in myself, which is no faith at all. And then I wonder why my walk with the Lord is so up and down. It's because I'm trying to live the Christian life in my own strength as opposed to by faith in God's grace.

But when I walk by faith I can see my life characterised by grace. I cannot keep myself from sinful thoughts, but He can. I cannot keep myself from reacting out of anger, jealousy, or pride, but He can. So I cling to Him, when I feel like a failure and I make much of Him when there is fruit.

"But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (Jer 31:33)

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."
(Hebrews 10:19-23 ESV)

excessive drinking culture

Check out an article about Aaron Thompson (the director of Student Life in Dunedin, NZ) and his efforts to provide alternatives for students who live in the excessive drinking culture at Otago University. His idea is to get students actively involved in the community (by providing incentives) and help them to find positive ways to spend their time.

http://www.odt.co.nz/campus/university-otago/125614/scheme-will-reward-students-helping-residents

It's really cool to see how Student Life is having an impact in other campuses across the country!