"The point of the cross isn't forgiveness. Forgiveness leads to something much bigger: restoration. God isn't just interested in the covering over of our sins. God wants to make us into the people we were originally created to be. It is not just the remoal of what's being held against us; it is God pulling us into the people he originally had in mind when he made us. This restoration is why Jesus always orients his message around becoming the kind of people who are generous and loving and compassionate. The goal here isn't simply to not sin. Our purpose is to increase the shalom in this world, which is why approaches to the Christian faith that deal solely with not sinning always fail. They aim at the wrong thing. It is not about what you don't do. The point is becoming more and more the kind of people God had in mind when we were first created.
It is one thing to be forgiven; it is another thing to become more and more and more and more the person God made you to be.
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It is one thing to be saved. To believe in Jesus. It is another thing to be healed. It is possible to be saved and miserable. It is possible to be saved and not be a healthy, whole, life-giving person. It is possible for the cross to have done something for a person but not in them."
- from Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell
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3 comments:
i've been wanting to read that book...thanks for the extra push.
I really want to read that book because what he is saying is true and I know it! I might have to pick it up the next time I'm in Regina. Thanks Chels!
Love Mom in Estevan
that book is awesome and speaks so beautifully. mind if i steal it from you and give it as a christmas gift? i swear i'll give you a new copy next year.
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