I've Been to Church...

I've been to church.

In fact, I've been going to church all of my life.

I mean I'm a pro. I've got the verbage down. You know like brother and sister...
I know when I'm supposed to stand or sit.
I give a great handshake.

I know lots and lots of songs.
I've been to Bible college. I know lots of verses.

But...

Have I been to Calvary.
You know, the cross. Where self dies and Christ rules.

I've seen it... from a distance. But not too close.

I like my religion packaged so I can box it and keep it where I want it. If I go to Calvary that means I must put Me at its foot.

And that's where my rub is.

I don't really like me. But it's what I know. And I know I'm not sending me to Africa or China or Afghanistan.

I really want to give Me up but...

OK. Well, here it is.

I've had Me for 46 years and I don't have much to show for it.

So...


Galations 19-21 (The Message)

"What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.

Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God's grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily."