Mike Maroon January 16th, 2009

Steve,
If I thought for one minute our Father cared more about the grade than he did me, I couldn't survive. Paul claimed to be the worst sinner. I'm in the top 5. I don't know how people who believe you are Christian or not based on the last good or bad thing you did can even sleep nights. The ONLY reason I can sleep at night is because I know God cares more about me than my grade. Thanks for reminding me though. I needed to hear it.

klab January 16th, 2009

and again I am reminded why I have listened to you since just before 1990 lol GOD just seems to speak through you in my darkest moments. when my life seems to be a black hole sucking in everything, There HE is shining hope and light throu you. Thank you for being open to be used.

Laurie January 30th, 2009

"What if God were different than what you've been told? What if God were kind, gentle and compassionate toward you? What if grace always ran downhill?

How different would your life be?"

My pastor has begun listening to your RTS lectures. My husband downloaded them for me and I spent over 6 hours listening to them – afraid to stop listening. Hearing words like those above for the first time I can remember since becoming a Christian 4 years ago at the age of 40 – well – I've cried more in the last two days than I have in years. I'm crying now, and I'll tell you why: this is the best news I've ever heard, and I'm terrified it's not true. I'm afraid if I tell any of the Christians I know they'll tell me it's not so… they'll tell me you're an anti-nomian…and that it's not scriptural and snatch all that hope away from me. How different would my life be? I hope desperately that I get to find out.

Can I really believe that if I never get any more sanctified than I am now that I still belong to Him ? The Scriptures use such tough language in so many places that I find it nearly impossible to believe God had any tender feelings toward me at all, or rather that He has them toward me as long as I'm behaving well.

Well, I don't really expect you to answer all this here. My husband's off driving he truck and listening to your lectures today. When he gets home I'll be able to listen to some more. I've never in my life wanted so desperately for something to be true. I find it hopefull that my pastor has been listening to these teachings and is becoming aware of how legalistic things are getting at our church.

Steve Brown January 31st, 2009

Laurie,

God really is as kind, gentle, merciful and gracious as I've been saying. You don't have to hope that truth is true. Truth is true because… well, it's just true.

I know how you feel. When I first started discovering what the Bible really teaches I thought, "This can't be this good." The deeper I went the better it got and now I spend most of my time telling people what I've discovered. I would be really nervous if I were the only one… but it started with Jesus and has been central to the church for two thousand years. It's just that our neurotic default position (and I'm worse than most) is condemnation, guilt and fear.

Let me suggest that you not lift those "harsh" verses out of the Bible and out of context. Learn to see the "whole counsel of God" and see God's total plan. The "bad news" is there so we can hear the good news. Theology is often boring, but it allows us to see the big picture.

The central doctrines of the Reformation are so clear. Christ really did take our sin and sins to the cross… really… and all we have to do is run to him. But, more than that, God really did (Paul teaches clearly) "impute" (put in our account) all the obedience, purity and righteousness of Christ to us. That's so good I can hardly stand it.

Thousands of Christians (and especially pastors and leaders) all over the country are discovering the truth of God's grace and with you, are saying, "Why didn't I see this before."

I'll tell you why. Because we are weird. Religion can do that to you. And secondly, because Satan has done a number on us because he knows that if we "get it"… he's done for.

So, dear friend, believe it. Then live you life in its truth.

Then go out and have a party…

… and invite your pastor.

Laurie February 1st, 2009

Steve,

Thanks for your response. I'm still listening, crying, and hoping, trying to get it to sink in, trying to get the courage to step out of the open prison door. I'm not going to study anything but the love of God until I believe it – I already believe all the other stuff so I don't think it will suffer being set aside for a while.

Erik February 2nd, 2009

Laurie,

If you haven't found the Scandalous Freedom podcast yet, may I suggest you check out the free archive? There are 27 audio messages that feature what I think is classic Steve on Biblical grace and freedom. Start with "Free Means Free" and go down the list. Let me know what you think.

Laurie February 4th, 2009

Wow, thanks Erik!
My husband put them on the iPod for me. I'll let you know how it goes. I've got a few more of the RTS lectures to finish and I'll go straight to these next.

Laurie February 16th, 2009

Erik,
I've finished listening to the Scandalous Freedom podcasts and have found them very helpful and encouraging – though I've got to say, I still feel like I've had the rug pulled out from under me. I haven't gotten my footing yet and am still struggling with this. Honestly, if it weren't for my husband, who consistently demonstrates this kind of love and grace for me, I don't think I'd be able to believe it at all. I also am having to re-think everything I do, and why I do it. So much of my Christian walk (without my realizing it) has been spent currying God's favor so that I can feel like I'm in good standing. I've also been as judgemental of others as I've been of myself. (Old sins die hard.) I've stepped back for a little while from most church activities, and teaching too, as I try to process all this. I hope you all will include me in your prayers. This has been a very difficult time for me.

John Meyer August 18th, 2009

Steve, to make a very long-sad story short, because of pride, it took God 20 years of silence to get me to ask the following questions, before He would even speak to me. His answer saved me.

Back slid-en, troubled, and realizing that I was lost in every sense of the word and, after a few weeks of trying to return to God, I began to beg;

Me: "Lord I know you love me, but I want to know why? "

God: silence.

Me: Lord, your word says you love me… why?

God: silence

Me: Lord what is it about me you love?

God: "NOTHING!"

Me: Then why do you love me?

God: "Because that is what I am, that is what I do. What, John, can give to me that I don't already have? Can the earth warm the sun? My love is a one-way street, I give it, you receive it. I am insulted when you think that you can earn my love. It is a slap in my face for you to even try. When you wash a car, is it still dirty? If I have forgotten your sins, I don't remember them…

Many tears were shed that day, night, & week. I was free. The Gospel made sense.

Perhaps one day I'll write the whole story, if it will help someone.

Thanks.