Yesterday I posted on my own Facebook page a question I've been wrestling with. I'll share it here as well and develop it a bit as we think about our worship and relationships in the context of a local church.
The post: If grace is not enough to make you right in God's eyes, then exactly how much of whatever else will it take?
Obviously we believe there is nothing besides the grace of God that can rightfully stand as the basis of establishing AND maintaining a relationship with God.
Ephesians 2:8-9 show this concept very clearly.
As I think out loud, here is a list of consequences that apply both personally and in the context of a local church.
If grace isn't enough, then:
1. My eternal destiny will be up in the air until the moment I die.
2. My attendance at church earns me something in God's eyes.
3. I am on my own for spiritual growth.
4. I must treat others as God treats me, which really is some merit based system.
5. I should hope God will forgive the sins I commit, becuase I can't really be sure.
6. There is some bar of achievement I must reach in order to be guaranteed eternal life and forgiveness. Further, I wouldn't really know what that bar is.
As far as I've thought through this list, I think these things are true. Any other ways you would really struggle if God's grace wasn't enough?
In Christ,
Pastor Kevin