Grace Land
by Lisa Anderson on 06/05/2009 at 4:23 PM
If you're a Christian between the ages of two and 102, you probably have some shades of legalism in the way you live out your faith. If you've been a Christian most of your life, you're probably even more guilty of this than most. And if you grew up in a Christian home* with no drinking (the Devil's brew), dancing (vertical sex), movies (except Billy Graham flicks), cards (except UNO) or pants in church (except evening services), your name could be Lisa Anderson.
So imagine how I got blazed away this past quarter in Sunday school when our teacher, Navigators U.S. Deputy Director Bill Tell, gave us the scoop on overcoming a law-based faith to instead live out a grace-based one. He told us that Christian maturity is defined not by sinlessness (or "working toward" sinlessness), but on blamelessness. Not that we encourage sinful behavior, but we recognize the punishment for our sin has been taken once and for all by Christ, and if we really understand the magnitude of this, the trust we have in Him as a result leads to joyful obedience. Bill told us a bunch of other stuff that it will take the rest of the year for me to process, and the rest of my life to apply. Here's one example in summary:
Statement:
As a maturing Christian, I no longer define myself by my sin or the sin committed against me, but by who God says I am.
What does this mean?:
Sin and wounds are born out of a lie (John 8:44, Satan is the Father of Lies). We have layers and layers of lies around our hearts, many of which have solidified over years and years. These lies have caused us to make a vow that we won't let people or circumstances touch us if they will hurt or disrupt us, or find us out. To protect ourselves, we devise a well-oiled strategy for not getting hurt, or for feeding the lie. We have to get to a place where this strategy stops working. We must counter the lies with the truth about our identity. The only problem is, that truth is often much smaller than the lie in our own heads/hearts, and it can't compete. We must continue to saturate our minds/hearts with truth statements until that truth grows and can, with God's help and the help of other believers, begin to counteract the lies.
How can we identify a lie? Check our abnormal responses to something innocuous. When we're hurt, stop and ask, "What is underneath this that is causing me to feel this way?"
I realized during this study that one of my big lies is that "I'm only as valuable as I am useful." I have a huge burden to be competent**, and can't imagine why people would like me beyond what I can do for them. I recognized it because recently an issue came up where I, a normally rational and laid-back person, responded in a crazy and unbecoming manner. Boom! Lie. I had to uncover the reasons behind my response, and deal with them with humility and a healthy dose of reality.
Thankfully, I can go to Scripture and find many truths to counteract this lie. The love of my friends and family is a powerful example to me of my worth in their eyes. Most importantly, God's presence in my life proves that I'm already loved more than I can imagine, and none of His love is contingent on how smart, funny, helpful, interesting or popular I am. He doesn't reject me because I'm single, opinionated, prone to burn things in the kitchen, and/or possess an unhealthy attachment to Bill Gaither, Flo Rida or Trident Splash Strawberry/Lime Gum.
Bill talks a lot about grace. You can hear him talking about it here and here. What about you? Are you a recovering legalist? What trips you up most when it comes to countering the lies in your own life? Do you have a few people with whom you can be truly open and vulnerable? Hopefully we're all on a pilgrimage...one that leads to Grace Land.
*My fam is totally awesome, and don't worry, we recognize some of the patterns we lived in back in the day. And some of them were good, quite frankly. Nothing wrong with turning off the TV when you see trash. My mom and I still spar about a few things, but we usually settle our disputes by trying to outshout each other with Scripture references, then call a truce and go out for ice cream.
**I'm having Bill and his wife over for dinner tonight. I'm making a new chicken recipe. Major competency issues coming into play...
1. Sarah P. said the following at 4:39 PM on Jun 5:
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Grace: "All things are permitted"
Wisdom: "but not all things are edifying to the body." (edifying = build up)
As Paul explains in his first epistle to the Corinthians, our focus now should not be law, but love. Outward-focused, not inward. Does this action build up the body of Christ the way it actually needs?
I wish I could love better. It is an art to develop all life. :)
2. Rachael said the following at 7:09 PM on Jun 5:
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Lisa, thank you for this post ~
"We must continue to saturate our minds/hearts with truth statements until that truth grows and can, with God's help and the help of other believers, begin to counteract the lies."
Nice...
Perhaps a couple weeks ago, when I was listening to the radio, the phrase "voice of truth" from Casting Crown's "Voice of Truth" totally popped out at me. I didn't contrive it. I often think and ponder spiritual insights, but this one popped out at me. I think I sensed God in this lyric-popping-out thing. It was neat to feel that God may have purposefully wanted me to hear those words at that time (which may include now) of my life.
It was just neat to me.
...
"be transformed by the renewing of your mind", "whatsoever is...whatsoever is....think about these things."
Really the thought life is important. So is the actions life.
I recently read a quote that went something like this:
"It is easier for your behavior to change your thinking than for your thinking to change your behavior."
It was interesting. And we should just act how we should act even if our hearts aren't there. And right behavior might facilitate more frequent natural occurrences of right thinking.
But still the shaping of the mind and telling ourselves the truth is important.
Lloyd-Jones: "Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?"
(you can find this here: http://theologica.blogspot.com/2007/06/talk-dont-listen-to-yourself.html)
I don't know if that's the root of most unhappiness, but, I think we as humans do often listen to ourselves more than walk out God's truth...
....
As for legalistic lies or hypocrisy, it can be confusing. I've not seriously teased out my complete experience with legality and hypocrisy complexity in succinct form. I guess it wouldn't be 'succinct' though as there are many faces.
One familiar face, though, is my desire to be honest. It's too much and can hinder me from saying things because I don't want to be dishonest (lies: "What if I'm wrong?" "What if that didn't really happen?" "Did I ...? "
It might not be a legalistic thing, but, these 'spice sins' (think - pharisees' tithing of spices) can cause a lot of anxiety while I at the same time don't care as deeply about weightier sins.
....
3. BDB said the following at 9:49 PM on Jun 5:
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I find it interesting that the book of Jonah is in the Bible. In Sunday School, it's usually taught that Jonah disobeyed God, so God arranged for the fish (or whale, depending on your adherence to ancient-Hebrew translation) to put Jonah back on course. So don't disobey God kids!
Yet, reading the text closely, Jonah disobeyed God because Jonah wanted Ninevah punished for their sins! Jonah did not want Ninevah to repent and experience God's mercy. He wanted them to suffer!
Jonah 4 is more interesting to me than the fish story, because God sees fit to ask Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry?" Jonah refuses to answer and goes and sits to watch and see if the city is destroyed by God. God takes a personal interest in Jonah facing this issue - the issue being that Jonah wants to see sinners punished.
Why was Jonah included in the Bible?
Was it just so that Jesus could refer to 3 days and 3 nights in the belly of a fish? Or was it that those who assembled the Bible realized that we needed to learn to rejoice when people repent, and not be angry when God doesn't punish them.
4. Ana B said the following at 4:30 AM on Jun 6:
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thank you thank you thank you thank you and THANK YOU.
5. T.Smith said the following at 8:02 AM on Jun 6:
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Oh yes, the "grace" people:
Jude 1-5
1: Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
2: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
3: Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
4: For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
5: I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
Unlike Laodicean Christianity, Jesus demands perfection from me, not excuses.
Matthew 5:48
48: Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Yes God gracefully saved us so that we can work to be like Him, not dissimulate our sin under the covers of "grace."
6. Ned said the following at 9:14 AM on Jun 6:
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I'm sure your chicken will be (was?) delicious.
7. Matthew said the following at 10:06 AM on Jun 6:
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It is truly sad to see legalism drown out the true Gospel, drive people away from loving Jesus (whether Christian or non-Christian), bringing division in the Body, and distracting us from true faithful obedience. I have found the writings and sermons of Tim Keller to be enormously helpful in this regard, and I would encourage anyone to check some of them out!
8. a sassy sister said the following at 10:32 AM on Jun 6:
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Great post!
9. DannieA said the following at 3:23 PM on Jun 6:
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It boils down as to why you do the things you do. If it is because of the walk in God's grace that one feels called to abstain from certain things, I don't view it as legalism.
AS I child I grew up like you:
1. no drinking (Devi's brew)
2. no dancing (leads to premarital sex)
3. wear dresses to church (wow that all changed in college)
4. no smoking/drugs/cigars (your body is a temple)
Yeah I went to college, I tried some things out....yes I hated smoking, but did it socially with a bottle of febreeze in my hand to febreeze my boyfriend, myself, and everything because I couldn't stand it (true story), so after a while I just said...this is stupid and that was the end of that!
decided to try drinking and came to the conclusion that the only reason to drink is to get drunk...ergo stupid decisions, ergo why the heck am I doing this.....so I decided that this was stupid and I don't drink at all.
Some things shouldn't be laughed at or be pounded on as legalism...some things people do or don't do agree with their personal walk with God and growing in Grace.
When I have children I hope to instill good moral values, but also have conversations about grace and that nothing we do can separate us from the love of God (and from me :) ) and that we all have our growing in grace walk with Christ that looks different than the other person next to us.
so am I a recovering legalist? No, I am a person growing in grace every day by God's amazing love and grace for me a sinner.
10. Mike said the following at 6:58 PM on Jun 6:
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Lisa, this is a great post. Clinical psychology would tell us that an abnormal or out-of-proportion response to a situation is because of an old, childhood wound. There is probably some truth in that. But Scripture says:
"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3)
Living in grace kills the lie of the enemy that we have to live with our old wounds.
Good job. Thanks.
11. Marc said the following at 1:13 PM on Jun 7:
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This was a well-written article, full of truth and salt. Thank you for writing it.
You asked some good 'n provocative questions, and I'm sorry that you haven't had more response! Perhaps you should try to integrate some minor heracy into your next post. But for now, I'll do my best to engage it.
I believe that a great unmentioned sin commited by the parents of our generation is the instilling of false identity, under the guise of "encouraging positive atributes."
Of course, I may just be projecting my experience on a larger scale.
But how can you not turn heavily repeated expressions like "you're so smart" and "you're such a good boy" into identifiers that then fall apart when you go to college or start reading your bible honestly (respectively)?
I think it's a tough transition, as the Gospel has to be bad news before it can be good news.
12. Esther said the following at 8:15 PM on Jun 7:
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Lisa, you always make me laugh! I don't know how often my mom made similar comments about dancing (sex with clothes on), and we never did get TV.
I'm with you on the competency struggle. I don't know where it comes from, but I often feel that I have to prove my worth, not spiritually, but in terms of career and social success. As much as I do, and the better I become at building the persona of success, the more stressful it is to maintain it. You're right, the love of family, who know the messy, grumpy, lazy side of me and still hold me dear is ever so precious.
btw, I can't believe you like that strawberry/lime gum. It's good at first, but has an awful aftertaste...
13. brx said the following at 12:04 AM on Jun 8:
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Re: Lisa;
Recovering legalist? I don't think so, but I can sure identify with your statement:
"I have a huge burden to be competent**, and can't imagine why people would like me beyond what I can do for them."
That's one I am probably wrestling with often. And almost as often, it probably leads me to over-commit my time and services! Which, then leads to letting some people down.
I think having a healthy identity in Christ helps one set healthy boundaries with others and guides one in when to say 'yes' and when to say 'no'. (not always there myself, but moving in the right direction...)
Grace & peace
14. brx said the following at 12:07 AM on Jun 8:
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"By the end of the summer I had learned a lesson I would never forget: "What people will think" is largely a boogeyman of our own self-centeredness." - Demos Shakarian, The Happiest People on Earth
I identified with that one too!
Grace, peace & adventure!
15. diana said the following at 8:47 AM on Jun 8:
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Regarding Comment 5:
I don't see how the assumption can be made that "Jesus demands perfection from me". If any of us were capable of perfection, then there would be no need for grace at all. He doesn't save us so that we can then prove our worthiness by living perfect lives. As far as I can understand, "perfect" refers to living in spiritual maturity, not absolute sinlessness. To even think that we can live in perfection is the epitomy of pride!
I agree that our salvation should be shown by our works; but it's a dangerous line to say that Jesus DEMANDS perfection and that we are saved to showcase our perfection.
16. Amy said the following at 9:26 AM on Jun 8:
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Wow. Great post. Thanks for sharing your insights--I can definitely identify.
17. Sarah P. said the following at 9:51 AM on Jun 8:
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diana (#15): To even think that we can live in perfection is the epitomy of pride!
Agreed. We are told to be perfect, but we can't make ourselves that. We can't improve ourselves one bit, unless God is at work in us!
The last time someone explained to me that he was trying to be perfect was in the middle of a 40-page, single-space letter telling me that I was a fool. To which I replied, "Yes, I may be a fool, but at least I am not a megalomaniac!" heh
18. Lisa Anderson said the following at 11:03 AM on Jun 8:
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Ned #6: The chicken was a big hit, though I didn't have everything ready by the time they came. And I hadn't even started dessert, so I threw propriety to the wind and had them perch on stools in my kitchen as I fired up the mixer. :)
19. Jo said the following at 11:37 AM on Jun 8:
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Lisa, I love this post.
Mike, #10:
"Clinical psychology would tell us that an abnormal or out-of-proportion response to a situation is because of an old, childhood wound.....
Living in grace kills the lie of the enemy that we have to live with our old wounds."
It's not either/or though. I find it really interesting to look at what I learn about psychology through the lens of Scripture. Some of the theory is questionable, but I find that a huge amount of it (like what you referred to) comes into focus so much more clearly when I put it in the context of God's word.
You're absolutely right though, that we don't have to be bound by our 'old wounds'. But understanding where they come from goes a long way to healing them, with God's help of course.
20. Justin T. said the following at 12:31 PM on Jun 8:
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I thought you were about to make some deeply theological point involving Graceland here in Memphis, and yet I find not even one hint of Elvis.
*sigh* You disappoint me, Lisa.
21. Rachael Starke said the following at 4:28 PM on Jun 8:
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Lisa,
I'll see you all the above and raise you no nail polish and no going to restaurants that played rock music. Oh wait, that's a gambling metaphor. Very bad. :)
There are two great books by John Piper that dig deeper into these concepts. "Counted Righteous in Christ" is a short one that describes how repentance and faith in Christ results in God's giving us, once and for all, the righteousness of His Son, and thus all the love He has for His Son is ours too. In my case, at home with 3 girls where there are days I do nothing but walk from room to room picking up little bits of ... things :), it is so encouraging to know that He loves me just as much as if my entire house was spotless, a gourmet meal was ready and waiting, and my next writing project was all done.
The other great book, a newer one, is called "Finally Alive", which describes the doctrine of regeneration, or new birth. And he goes into helpful detail about the nature of that new birth, including, to respectfully disagree with comment #5 on the basis of Paul's words in Romans 6, a God-given desire to die to our sin and live in pursuit of Christ's rightouesness. Regeneration includes the giving to us of the Holy Spirit, who both gives life to our soul so that we love rightouesness and hates sin, and gives us power to do the same.
You've described a lot of what happened to me after my early years in the faith trying in my own strength to live up to standards that seemed both random and impossible. Ironically, coming to a fresh understanding of these things has lead to far greater sanctification than the old system.
22. Kelly said the following at 6:37 PM on Jun 8:
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This reminds me of when I started dating a guy, the first time we went to church together, he was HORRIFIED that I wore pants.
I wore a skirt from then on to please him, but you know, I don't think that was quite the right motivation or decision?
23. Lizzie said the following at 9:45 AM on Jun 11:
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Thank you for this post. :) It's easy for me to forget about grace, and to focus instead on not messing up. I start backing away, drawing lines and building fences for myself so that I won't offend God, just in case His grace isn't really as big as everyone says it is or something. This is amplified by certain aspects of my personality--I can have certain perfectionist or obsessive qualities.
Rachael (#2): I struggle with the same thing, too. And what really frustrates me is it makes me very unwilling to compliment people, just in case I don't mean what I say. Sometimes it's so ridiculous that I almost have to laugh at it. I think it's something to be overcome. :)
BDB (#3): I like that take on the Jonah story. It's easy to overlook that aspect of it, huh?
Lastly, yesterday I read an article quoting what a pastor, Kevin DeYoung, was saying about sticking to the doctrine of grace. He was saying that it might sound like a bad idea, "...but I look at Galatians and Romans and think, 'If people hear us talking about justification and don't almost think that we are giving them license to sin, we aren't preaching grace strong enough.'" Didn't Paul preach grace so strongly that some churches were allowing sexual immorality? And he had to correct that, of course, but we can't forget grace. It's too easy to forget about for some people.