MY THOUGHTS ON GRACE, FAITH, SIN AND THE ARGUMENTS AFFECTING THE CHURCH TODAY I found out that my name is now being featured in sermons and other discussions concerning the issue of the grace of God that we preach. Some now call me a “cheap grace preacher”. Whereas it has never been my desire to defend myself on these matters right from the beginning, I believe it is helpful at this moment to actually articulate what it is I believe on these matters for the following reasons: 1. Not to hinder the preaching of the Gospel: The issue of grace has divided the church because instead of seeking dialogue, we have chosen mudslinging and mischaracterization. Instead of preaching Christ, pulpits are being used to attack others, naming and shaming; claiming that we are encouraging people to sin because of grace. Unfortunately, every time the church fights, it’s the world around us that loses. In fact this is not new as we can see here. Romans 3:8 And why not say, Let us do evil that good may come? — as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just. NKJV 2. Not to be burdensome to the people I pastor: As a pastor, I have a responsibility for the people of Worship Harvest. I do not want them to be in the awkward position of having to correct the mischaracterization against us wherever they are. It’s like the moment they say they go to Worship Harvest; they are given that suspicious look! As the prophet writes of Christ; Zechariah 13:7 Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered; Then I will turn My hand against the little ones. NKJV 3. To protect our name. It takes years to build a name, and just seconds of slander to destroy it. Those who drag our name through the mud as if we were faceless people have no understanding of this. When our children grow up, we want them to proudly carry our name without fear of intimidation. This goes for our wider family and friends as well. Proverbs 22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. NKJV Having said that, here are FIVE THINGS that I hope will clarify our beliefs on these matters. 1. THAT ALL, (including ourselves and our accusers) have sinned and fall short of God’s ideal for us at all times. Humanity continues on this slippery path of selfishness, confusion and destruction because of the sin problem. Apparently not the best education, upbringing or religion has helped stem the tide. We continue to operate way below our true identity. On our own, we are constantly self-destructing. Romans 3:23-24 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, NKJV Romans 3:10-12 10 As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one. NKJV 2. THAT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST has by His grace made the FULL payment for all our sins and failures, and not only ours but the whole world. Through His death and resurrection to a new life, Jesus defeated sin and death making a new and perfect way, reconciling God and man. What man could not attain through keeping God’s holy law, Christ did by fulfilling God’s law for us. This is the essence of the Way. 1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. NKJV 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. NKJV 3. THAT THOSE who have received Christ by faith have become direct beneficiaries of the salvation He offers; receiving forgiveness, deliverance and all He died for. By faith, those who believe receive His own righteousness as a gift making it possible for frail humanity to have an amazing, vibrant and intimate relationship with a holy God. In fact, having started off as enemies, we have now become His children! Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. NKJV Romans 3:21-22 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; NKJV 4. THAT HAVING BEEN SAVED by grace through faith, we do not maintain this relationship through our own efforts or works; like constant confession of every sin, for indeed this is impossible and takes us right back to where we started. The point of Christ’s death was that the relationship through works of the law had not been a success as evidenced by Israel. That’s why it is now offered as a gift. A gift. A gift. Confession is good for the confessor, like in any relationship. Disagreement in a marriage is not divorce! Colossians 2:13-14 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. NKJV Ephesians 4:32 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. NKJV Romans 11:6 6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. NKJV 5. THAT THIS GRACE WE HAVE received empowers us to live righteously and not the opposite as many claim. When one discovers how good, loving and kind our Father is, their life changes. Grace teaches us to live righteously and empowers us against sin. Yes, people still fail, but that could happen anywhere. The word, like a seed, takes time to sprout, grow and produce fruit. Good works are the result of God’s grace. Titus 2:11-12 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, NKJV Romans 6:14 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. NKJV Ephesians 2:10 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. NKJV This is certainly not a “robust defense”, rebuttal or summary of my beliefs meant to seek justification, but just something that I hope will bring clarity and civility to the conversation on Grace. I hope it’s also helpful to those that have never met us and so can’t judge us based on our character but on what they’ve heard about us. Let us continue to make much of the name of JESUS, keeping Him at the center of it all. Moses Mukisa April 13, 2014 Beatrice Langariti Noah Sematimba Ben Kikaire Ben Mwine Paul Wasswa Isaiah Mbuga Michael David Kyazze Bernard Joshua Kirabira Sarah Sseggane Alex Mutagubya Bev Murrill Cyrus Rod Kigwi Njoroge Joel Magoola Kennedy K. KiruiPastor David L ZijjanBushuyu Frank MutaremwaFred Wallace Beatrice Byemanzi John Musa Lakor OnenIvan Kalema Michael Grace NdikoBukenya Paul MichaelPatrick Muinda Arthur Muteesasira Kibirige TimothySam Mukabi Zema Edward B Mwesigye James Kato Apostle Edward SsewanyanaAndrew Mwenge William Wasaka Nigel Langford Samuel Sebuliba Samuel Kasango James Luwaga Peter Wamono George D Barugahare Desire Julia K Barugahare Pastor Joshua Ham Kurungi Hassan Kibirango Daniel R Ruhweza Joshua Kakaire Kibedi Joshua Martin Mugabi
Posted on: Mon, 14 Apr 2014 09:16:03 +0000
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