Well said Lyn!

If I were to choose what is often time referred to as a life verse for me it would be Romans 8:38-39! How I love the mercy that is embedded within these words! NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM HIS LOVE!

How I dread hearing these words taught with the dreaded but added at the end. It changes the plain meaning of Paul's words. To add something to the effect of "we can leave Him". Such a statement does not reside in the lexicon of eternal grace! Such thinking seeks to change the substance of eternal life, but Jesus did not come that we might have temporary life - He came that we might have eternal life! Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus our Lord!

In my mind the but in this instance belies an underlying doubt, a belief that we must add to the cross, yet there is nothing that can be added! The cross reconciles us to God! He saves us, and He will keep us!

An interesting thing that I have experienced personally is the accusation that because I believe so strongly in God's grace (and I do!) I am willing to let any manner of sin go. I am just the opposite of that accusation, even more so I sometimes think than those who would suggest it!

I believe that God saves eternally and to the uttermost! That what He does cannot be undone! He loves us , He saves us, He regenerates us! He causes us be more and more like Him. The transformation is not all at once perhaps, but over time even as a mustard seed becomes a great tree so does the faith implanted within us grow to fill our lives. God's righteousness molds us because He loves. We are not saved in sin, but from sin. In the same way that I cringe when someone inserts a but into God's ETERNAL plan of salvation I cringe when someone will say that "God loves everybody" as a blanket for that that He abhors. Jesus makes people free from sin and the symptoms that include -

adultery
homosexuality
thievery
drunkeness
idolatry
etc.

God loves the world, but He does not love everything. I am not talking about temptation, but rather the willful "I know it is wrong, and specifically spoken against in the scripture, but I'm going to do it anyway" attitude that some who confess belief in the bible take upon themselves. Sometimes I believe folks think they are being merciful if they try to cover what they know to be wrong for themselves and their loved ones with a generic "God loves everybody", when the real mercy is in the godly sorrow that leads to repentance. This leads not to covering up, but a washing clean of the conscience allowing the one who has sinned to stand confidently before God, and maintains the integrity of the standard - God's true grace that saves from sin! As much as we want everyone to "feel" good about themselves, we do no one any favors by seeming to approve of things of which God does not approve. That is not to say that I believe anyone should be treated unkindly, or with rudeness. It is to say that I believe that we can treat others with kindness and still hold to the right.

I have thought about this over the past few days, and am thinking that those who would substitute a conditional "but" into God's grace, and those who would try to use God's grace as an excuse for sinfulness are but different sides of the same doubtful and untrusting coin. One doesn't trust Him completely for salvation, and the other doesn't trust Him completely to change lives. If we trust Him we can trust Him to shape our lives into His image, and desire to bear the characteristics of our Father. If we believe that He is our Father then as a loving Father we can believe that He will never let us go. I can't walk away from who I am. I am His!

Just a few of the things on my mind lately here in Grace Harbor. Thanks to my Grace Harbor neighbor Lyn for her good thoughts! And thank you so much Lyn for the book recommendation, and for quoting my favorite verse! I never get tired of reading it!

More neighbors will be moving in soon! I am so thankful for the thoughts already expressed, and those that will be!

So Lyn.....the book you've recommended - is that a library book, or one you own and lend out freely? ( hint, hint!) :)