A Scandalous Freedom
May 20th, 2008. Filed under: Tuesday's Tempting Reads.I’m reading a book by Steve Brown titled A Scandalous Freedom: The Radical Nature Of The Gospel. Steve Brown is a radio broadcaster, seminary professor and author. I’ve only read the first five chapters so far and find myself rejoicing in the fact that I’ve found this book and this author. Steve opened my eyes to the freedom that we do indeed have in Christ. It’s a freedom that most people don’t realize is part of the package when we become a Christian. We have the freedom not to be right and “righteous.” Don’t you sometimes get tired of trying to be perfect? You should, because you’ll never get there. You’re free to quit trying. One of the things Steve tells us is “When I stopped working so hard at being better and turned to Jesus, that’s when I started getting just a little bit better.” You aren’t going to get perfect. Stop trying. Let God do the fixing up.
What happened to the joy? Did you throw it all away and start focusing on being a better person? Are you busy being religious? Are you busy being nice? That can be hard work. Is it really so scandalous, this freedom we have been given? Much of the world thinks so. Many Christians will think so. I don’t think it is. I like being free. I like the fact that Steve Brown stands up and tells it like it is.
How very scandalous! I can take off the masks I wear and God is going to keep on loving me. Just the way I am. Not the masks I try to wear. I wonder why we wear masks when God can see right through them anyway. We wear masks to show ourselves. Steve tells us to let God take off that mask with a simple prayer. “Lord, show me myself.” How very simple, and how very profound. And what will God show you? He will show you that you are loved unconditionally. He will show you that you don’t have to do anything to justify that love. When I read this chapter about masks is when I knew I had to share this book with you. Without realizing it, I’ve been in the process of taking off my mask by writing to you. Find a copy of this book and enjoy your freedom. As for me, I’m going to find a comfortable chair and finish the last half. I’m looking forward to the rest of this amazing book that’s teaching me to enjoy the freedom I’ve had for years and not known it.
June 3rd, 2008 at 19:14
[…] Now I will share the rest of the story from A Scandalous Freedom by Steve Brown. I shared the first part of the book with you two weeks […]