Journey in Grace

I used to lead worship about once a month at a church we once attended. Recently, I was looking through the songs I used to play and one called “Undivided Heart” grabbed my attention. Here’s the lyrics from the first verse:

If I’m to be whom You desire
All throughout my life
A vessel unto honor, Lord to Thee
And before Your throne to hear You say
That I have done my part
Lord, I need an undivided heart

These are good lyrics and a good reminder. Paul told the Corinthians to be undivided in their devotion to the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:35). That’s something we need to be reminded of all day every day. At least I do. But here’s the rub. When someone steeped in performance-based Christianity (PBC) hears these lyrics, they can quickly turn them into a to-do list. PBCers like to-do lists. PBCers are on the prowl for good to-do lists. I know because I used to be one (a PBCer – not a to-do list).

The PBCer will read “if I’m to be whom you desire….[if] I have done my part…I need an undivided heart” and conclude that God is only pleased with me if I have Read the rest of this entry »

This is an excellent gospel presentation by David Platt from the Book of Ruth. We listened to it this morning and it’s well done and very clear. Gospel reminders are like soothing ointment on a wound. They take my gaze off of myself, my circumstances, and my troubles and fix it back on the cross where it needs to be. I hope you are as encouraged by it as we were.

-Mike