A Clean Slate With God?

Here's the question of the ages......."How do I get a clean slate with God?"     Let's face it, we've all asked that question at some point in our lives in some form or fashion.

The answer to the question is critical, because it reveals the nature of your faith.

Some people think a clean slate with God comes from BEING GOOD.   They think a person is made right with God through their own goodness.   So they pay their taxes, give sandwiches to the poor, don't speed, don't drink too much, or not even drink at all.    Be a moral person with Christian conduct.   That's how you have a clean slate with God, right?

Others believe that SUFFERING is the key.   Yeah, that's gotta be it.   Suffer!   Sleep on dirt floors, slog your way through snake-infested jungles, live in poverty, endure cold days, longs sleepless nights, vows of chastity, shave your head, never wear shoes..... the list goes on and on.   The greater the pain, the greater the saint, right?

Some believe the answer to a clean slate with God rests in their DOCTRINE.   Dead-center interpretation of the truth.   You have an have an airtight theology that adequately explains every mystery.   Did Adam and Eve have belly buttons or not?   If you can reconcile the free will of man versus the sovereignty of God, you've got it made!   Better yet, should we sprinkle water or immerse fully?   That ought to do it.   Or resolving the issue of eternal security and tongues?   Certainly God would take note of accomplishments such as this and wipe your slate clean!

The problem is this.....all of the above have been tried.  All of the above have been taught.   All are fleshed out in the Christian world Sunday after Sunday.   But none of them are from God.   

They come from people.

Thnk about it.   Who is the major force in being good, suffering, or correctly interpreting doctrine?   Would that be mankind or God?    Who does the saving?  Is it us or Him?

You see, if we're saved by our own good works, then we really don't need God.   Just go down your weekly checklist of "do's and don'ts" if you want to make it into heaven one day.

If we're saved because we suffer, you don't need God.   You need a whip and a chain and the gospel of guilt.   You're all set.   But wait...... umm.....just how much suffering does it take?   How much does God require before your slate is wiped clean?

If we're saved by our doctrine?..... Just forget about God.   Simply put on a pot of coffee and dig into those books and study!   You don't need God.   You just need a good set of commentaries.    Weight out all the issues.   Explore all the options.   Decipher the truth.    There's just one crucial problem...... If you're saved by exact doctrine, then one mistake is fatal.

Those who are trying to save themselves promote themselves.   Those saved by works display works.   Those saved by suffering unveil their scars.   Those saved by their emotions parade their feelings.    Those saved by doctrine?   They wear their doctrine on their sleeves for everyone to see.

BUT.....the man who wants a clean slate with God remains silent in the presence of God.   When we come into His presence, our best efforts seem puny and pitiful.   Could we dare to stand before Almighty God and ask Him to save us because of our suffering and sacrifice and tears and hours of studying?

Not hardly.

So.....back to my original question.....How do I get a clean slate with God?    Here's God's answer.   There's only one way to have your slate wiped clean.   It's through faith in God's sacrifice.   It's not what you can DO.  It's what He has already DONE.

"What we’ve learned is this: God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does. We’ve finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade."   (Romans 3:28 / The Message)

Selah

Comments

[computer desk]

I constantly spenbt my half an hour to read this website's content every day along with a cup of coffee.

[swing sets]

I quite like reading through an article that will make people think. Also, many thanks for allolwing for me to comment!

[123bunkbeds.com]

Greetings from Carolina! I'm bored at work so I decided to browse your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I love the info you provide here and can't wait to take a look when I geet home. I'm amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my phone .. I'm not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, wonderful blog!

[http://www.coffeemakersadvisor.com/]

I am actually happy to read this wenpage posts which consists off plenty off valuable facts, thanks for providing such data.

[air compressor]

I'm really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.

[thebestcarpetcleaningmachines.com]

Attractive section of content. I just stumbled uon your website and in accessin capital to asseret that I gett actally enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently fast.