devine revelation of the true spirit. sending a hug with the sun as it passes by, guess you'll catch that in about 12 hours!
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EvenMoreConspicuousInHisAbsence! said:... you all know who it's from... Enjoy and know that those who aren't with us electronically are still with us in spirit.
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Grace allows us to look unabashed at our own inadequacies, our drives and desires.
I warn you now. Never be gracious. Never give grace, because the Grace of God is not what you think it is, not that at all. There is a problem with humanity, we never quite realise it until something unexpected happens. And that unforeseeable thing, like love, will baffle and shock and amuse us when we have finally stopped looking for it.
If you want to be gracious, read on. But this is not what you think, its far worse and far better, its as deep as love-making and as dirty as porn. It confuses and it cleans and challenges our souls. Our very human spirituality comes to the fore, that which has eluded us for so long, that part of us that has always known God whether we are Christian, atheist or whatever suddenly falls into view and becomes our intimate friend.
What am I talking about? I have no idea! But at the same time I know it as I always have, like ancient genetic intuition, like the breath I am about to take. Grace will woo us all, but before it does it will crush us to dust. You see, Paul hinted at this all along, and now it comes along, we all wonder why we never saw it. All things are permissible, not everything is beneficial faith is being certain of what we cannot see... there is neither slave nor free Oh no, Im quoting convenient texts again! Well, personally Id rather not quote Bible at all, but lets figure something out here
If you insist on receiving the Grace of God, then prepare for a shock to your core. Grace gives us the ability to see one another as God sees us, without sin. This is what Christ allowed, God can look us face on, and we God, because our sin is as if it no longer exists. I cant think of anything else that makes sense. So, we stop judging people, and simply encourage responsibility for actions, acceptance of consequences, the power of choice. True lasting acidic-tasting Freedom. Do you know what happens when you do this? People love you, people see God in you and you love people and see God in them. Too good to be true right? Absolutely, because heres the next step; we suddenly see ourselves without sin, we suddenly realise all those evil niggley nasty drives, desires and gritty lusts that actually need to be suppressed no more. And so, as Paul asks, what do we do with the Grace we have received? We are gracious, as gracious with ourselves as with others. Because here is the true way of things, we are no different to the world. We are all human and all need freedom from our worst fears and dirtiest drives. But not in total abandonment. Im talking about the more challenging aspect of grace here, to make decisions based on facing what we have feared as evil, unwholesome or plain dirty for years and years and soberly deciding to act or not, taking full responsibility for the consequences, good or bad, seen or unseen. And to be gracious with ourselves. Do nothing out of fear or guilt, and do not do nothing simply because you think its immoral or wrong. Everything is permissible in Christ, in Grace. Not everything is beneficial, and some things you just gotta find out by doing. I know this is a bee-hive of pain and controversy here, but when we see ourselves as God sees us, without sin, we can finally be Grace in all things. Do not hurt others or yourself. Walk with God into that which you know you must do and be but were previously too ashamed or confused to act upon.
Grace in all things, and then more Grace. The way the World lives, is the way we are ALL supposed to live, IMO. The world just needs us living its way, instead of pretending we are different. Its what Jesus did, he lived OUR way. Now lets live our way, the worlds way, as Christ did.
But do not take Grace. Grace is like Karma, the more you give the more you must live in grace, because it would be hypocritical not to. But that des not give us any rights to be lust-driven-sadists, it is like having everything you ever wanted, then realising it was as fulfilling as you hoped, but now theres a job to do.
