Joshua June 26th, 2007

Steve, its creepy but every week you are speaking directly to me. I am feeling so depressed today because I have tried to be perfect and well but I'm stuck in this cycle of addiction that leaves me more flawed and more sick each time. I am starting a 12 step group this week to address this issue and you'd think taking that step towards sobriety would renew faith in myself but in mind going to this group is like admitting defeat (it is though really because the first step is admitting you are powerless) and that just depresses me even more. The only thing that keeps me from snapping is the grace your talking about here and the knowledge that no matter how many times i find myself face down in the muck and mire Jesus never rolls his eyes at me or says, "damnit Josh. Again?". Sharon said the other day that no matter how hurt or lost she feels she clings to Jesus and I feel that way as well. Its just nice to learn that He is clinging back.

Jake June 29th, 2007

Steve has said a couple of times that those who are trying to be perfect can take comfort in the fact that this attempt is proof that they are saved. Is this always true? Couldn't it be that they are just trying to impress those around them? Couldn't it be that they do not believe in God's grace at all and are trying to earn their way into a better eternal situation when they die? Couldn't it be that they believe it is better, as a practical matter, to be good and love others to avoid the negative consequences / broken relationships?

Erik June 29th, 2007

I bet Steve would say that his comments are more accurately addressed to people that ask something like, "I really want to please God and be His, how can I be sure I'm a Christian?"

It's this "fretting" over their perfection/acceptability that seems to indicate to Steve that they are alive spiritually. I'm sure there are plenty of perfectionists that don't give a crap if God notices.

But I could be wrong.

Rebekah February 19th, 2012

All I have to say is, I totally relate to the things Steve says. I'm struggling with perfectionism and it's so freeing to have someone say, "It's ok. You're not the only one. It's ok to just give up." I'm realizing (slowly) it's only when I give up and say that I can't do it that God can look me in the eyes and say, "You're right. But I CAN." It's only when I let go that He can take control.

Bobby February 22nd, 2012

You know what I think? I think we take what is an elementary gospel and turn it into something far more complex.

What I mean is, the gospel is so easy to comprehend that even a child can understand it (hence the reason so many kids give their lives to Christ at an early age). Plus, God calls us sheep, and that's why (I believe) the gospel is so easy to understand. If it were any harder, we wouldn't be able to do it (we're that dumb). I think sometimes our egos get in the way and tell us that there is no way it could be this easy to understand, and then we try and complicate matters by actually trying to reason out what God has said and done for us. You can complicate the gospel so that your looking to others to validate your beliefs (or false beliefs). It can get so crazy that you can actually become depressed and eventually walk away (I almost did that). Read the bible and see what God truly says about you. I have no doubt that once you read it (and believe it) it will change who you are forever!

It also doesn't help when preachers guilt trip you into thinking that it's all about what you do and not what was done for you (Christ). That preaching is from the pit of hell and smell like smoke! (Sorry Steve, I had to use that one).

It's all about Grace, period! My life, with Christ, started when I stopped trying. It's made all the difference in the world.