Arrogance or Assurance

This morning's post feels arrogant, assuming, undeserved. Yet, there is "no condemnation" which survives the gospel!

The pure gospel undergirds my confidence, with even the Old Testament reinforcing such boldness!

Once again, I am studying the architecture of the Tabernacle, therein portrayed, a Christological imagery well beyond religion's best interpretation.

It was designed to foretell the day that the "Word became flesh and dwelt among us". Crafting by its architecture a gospel that assures this Eden-like human, warts and all, after near 78 years of struggle, that he is a child of God!

Redeemed, righteous, more than enough, no difference between me and the Christ, in the eyes of the Father.

The story of the Prodigal Father was told for a reason, no, two reasons! For you are likely now hearing the spirit of religion, the elder brother telling you this is arrogance, audacity...though he too was loved!

The Gospel affords us full entry, bold entry into the "throne room of God". The "veil was rent" once and for all, even such restraining language is now history!

What institutional religion for purposes of control has long cautioned me of, the Father welcomes me into.

What about my sins, my failures, those wasted moments? In Love's eyes, and "God is love", all that debris is as far as "the east is from the west" never to be brought up again.

But what of "the judgement seat" that eternal threat of embarrassment when my secret sins are revealed? Those Ezekial 33 moments where "blood is on my hands?"

With me perhaps thousands, whom had I better dealt with the depth of calling upon my life, a calling spoken to me at age 10, "One day you'll preach the gospel"...hear my heart...the "what if's"... the "enemy!"

No pressure!

The mercy seat, the altar, the show bread was crafted just for folk like me. That threat, that partition of guilt, that veil of separation now long rent! Religion cannot, though hard it may try, reestablish my guilt!

When I loved kids in the classroom, was courted by the church, became denominationally devoted, prayed over my city, participated in municipal affairs, practiced generosity...I was preaching the gospel!

Each morning my life was being made new, the personal marks missed, securely redeemed!

Told you it would sound arrogant, and though I know the real me, I have enough life experience to now know this One whose love transcends all my sins!

The "I Am" of Moses knows me by name!.

This One beyond finding out, became flesh, suffered in ways I will never know, simply so I could know love!

You know your self, but God in Christ knows only mercy, and is able to do through your life, warts and all, "exceedingly, abundantly more than you can ask or think!"

I am a child of God, crafted in my mother's womb, a journey long ordained and long provided for!

As far back as Moses' Tabernacle, God has known of me and loved me!

The Good News, it's the same for you!

"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"