What I Learned In Church:2/18/12

We're going to start something new. It's called getting to the point. Today’s readings come from Isaiah 43, Second Corinthians 1 and Mark 2.

God says, I forgave you and will over and over again. Why are you still tripping? Then Paul says, don’t be wishy washy. It's all yes. Be a yes man. God moves forward not backward. And then Jesus healed the paralytic who was lowered through the ceiling.

And the reason why we are still tripping came to me.

            We're still trying to be like the paralytic. That’s wrong. Our mission is to be like Jesus. A lot of “Christians” don’t read/ignore the Old Testament. The irony is that they all still live there.

            In Isaiah’s time, the Hebrews continually got distracted by sin and fell short. God forgave them over and over but they got so down on themselves that all seemed lost. Then Jesus came! Salvation is available to all. And it’s FREE. Not free like a trial and you don’t need a credit card to sign up. And it’s not going to require you to spend hours looking through offers and pop-ups. And it’s not “The Free Version” just to get you to buy the REAL version. It’s ALL THE WAY FREE. All you need to do is be a yes man like Paul says. And the power is already here. Faith (REAL FAITH) is powerful and as readily available as salvation.

            We’re still hollering Jesus, Jesus save me. You’re saved fool! Get up and move on. Pick up your faith and work. Use your faith to heal your fellow man. Move forward not backward.

We all want "Something new in our lives". Well do something new! Don't be paralyzed by sin. Move forward not backward and DON'T STAND STILL!
(This is where I start cussing.) What is keeping you from God's grace? We've been forgiven. We've been charged to take over where Jesus left off. "Pick up your mat and go home" Pick up your bullshit off the floor. Pick up the anchor/baggage/crutches you've been dragging around and go home. Home is Heaven. Go! It's waiting for you now.

            Don't wait until it's too late. Other people's funerals should make us realize the value of living well now. We should consider where we are going, NOW. Not where we are going in the next few minutes or days or even years. We ask each other about five and ten year plans like that means something. What is your eternal plan? And are you working towards that NOW?
You've been given the power of forgiveness, the power to move on past this world into eternity. When will you begin to use it? Get up off your mat! Go home! Now!