Comments on: Well, God Knows My Heart. – That’s No Excuse!

By: Adam

Adam — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:53:00 +0000

I’m so glad that God gave me a second chance.
And a third.
And a fourth.
And a fifth.
And a sixth.
And a seventh.
And an eighth.
And a ninth.
And a tenth.
And an eleventh.
And a twelfth.
And a thirteenth . . . .

By: Tara Lilly

Tara Lilly — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:56:22 +0000

To do anything less, than what Joe is talking about, I think is to be dismissing the level of grace God offers US. Forget about the other guy for a minute, how many times have other people pored into MY life, or yours, and we have continued to go our own way? How many chances has God given me after I have screwed up? How many people spoke the truth into my life but had to watch me walk away not getting it (or not changing even if I did)? That’s what God does-He’s the one that gives people chances over and over, He’s the one that teaches us to forgive and give all over again. If He does it for us, why do we think we don’t have to for those around us?? Good post Adam, and good comments!

By: Todd Helmkamp

Todd Helmkamp — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:50:33 +0000

Great post Adam!

Joe, I agree with you! Its far better (and obedient!) to try and fail than to never get off the pew!!

By: joe

joe — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:16:57 +0000

You know, this is something that I’ve thought a lot about. One of the problems that I faced (and the problem was actually brought to my attention by Larry Burkett, former director of Crown Financial), was simply this: What if I do what Christ has called me to do, and the recipient turns around and misuses my hospitality?

For instance, what if I meet a man on the street who is hungry and we go to McDonald’s and get a bite to eat. While we are at McDonald’s, I discover that he has made some bad decisions and has responded to the consequences by running. So, we talk and I encourage him to get back on his feet, and we even get out the paper and look for job listings. I’ve tried to feed the hungry and then enable him to stay fed. Then, he goes back out on the street, ignores everything that we talked about and continues begging for food.

I feel as though I’ve wasted my time! My efforts seem wasted and pointless. And, frankly, the conclusion that I came to was this: It’s not worth it unless I can be certain of a positive outcome.

Then, while reading a book by Larry Burkett (I don’t remember which one) he pointed out that my responsibility is to do what God has called me to do, regardless of the outcome.

So, I guess, I’m saying that I’ve come to the same conclusion that you have: Do stuff, specifically, do what God has called me to do. Even if I try and fail, by messing up on my own, I believe God does look at the attitude of my heart. But, when I don’t even try, or when I use the “attitude platitude” as an excuse to get away with stuff, then I’m inexorably wrong.