Oregon

I think, when we talk about 'mission territory', we should not be thinking about them, but about us. It is our lives, not our words, which are a testimony of God's grace and redemption. If our lives and our manner of going through life are not enough to make people ask questions (which we are commanded by the Bible to have an answer for...), then it does not matter what we say.

Everywhere we are is 'mission territory', whether it's for one or a hundred.

What we have been graced to find here in Grants Pass are Christian carpenters who quietly built us a changing table for Chris when we found out that adult changing tables cost over a thousand dollars! A cement contractor who was so fascinated by Barry's work that he took half a day out, sat with Barry in our garage, and they talked Bible and the implications of what Barry has found. Then he bent over backward to do an incredible job for us on a couple of projects. A real estate agent who is absolutely honest and straightforward and a delight to work with. An iron fabricator who took extra pains to help us with some materials which would make Chris and our paraplegic son-in-law safe. I don't know if any of them or if the women at the market or the men at the gas station or the dry cleaners or our lovely neighbors go to the same church. I do know that Spirit recognizes spirit and that these people are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Their words admit it. Their lives show it.

I know there are a number of churches around who play the cheap grace game (say the magic sinners' prayer and you will be saved...just repeat after me....), but we have been truly amazed at the number of people we have run into on a daily basis who are serious about their faith and walk with Christ.

Of course, the Mormons and JW's are big here, too, but the folk I have been referring to are the wonderful siblings in Christ the Lord has put in our way, not members of cults. Even the church we go to, a very small one, always has someone to watch Chris for us so we can worship in church. Even when our dog died a couple of weeks ago, we got some cards from some of our friends there.

Maybe there aren't many followers of Christ in this area. I couldn't tell you, really, having only been here a year. I know there are a lot of churches! But I also know that the Christians the Lord has put in our path have been serious and faithful in their lives and obedience to Christ, and that is a greater joy than anything else.

As far as teen pregnancy and divorce and murder and all the rest, all of us are going to see an increase no matter where we are. The Lord warned us that is what it would be like in the last days. Our job is simply to be obedient to Him and show His character in our lives, our actions, our words, our relationships. That is how converts are won.

We are each missionaries wherever our Lord has placed us.

 

"I know there are a number of churches around who play the cheap grace game (say the magic sinners' prayer and you will be saved...just repeat after me....),"

Would that be something like "Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ , and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." acts 16.30b-31

 

No, it's not that at all. To believe on the Lord in the time of Acts, and today in many parts of the world where Christianity is persecuted, meant/means to cast your lot with Jesus no matter the risk.

Cheap grace is presented (and accepted by many) as a sort of spiritual insurance. Just in case Jesus is real.....just in case I might not get to heaven unless I say these words....

Truly believing on the Lord Jesus Christ is not a matter of repeating a few words as though you were signing an insurance form and making a payment, or 'buying' a ticket to heaven. Believing is not simply intellectual acknowledgment. It means you are willing to turn your back on the way of life you have known (this involves repentance) and, no matter the risk, deciding to follow Jesus. You can't really follow HIM without being indwelt by the Holy Spirit, which means you must be born again. However Jesus tells us that He turns away no one who comes to Him.

I hope that helps you understand that there is a vast gulf between cheap grace and actually believing on our Lord.

 

Helen,

I loved your posts! What a blessing, they were beautiful.

God Bless You,
Rachel

 

"Cheap grace is presented (and accepted by many) as a sort of spiritual insurance. Just in case Jesus is real.....just in case I might not get to heaven unless I say these words...."

Ahhhh, didn't realize you knew the hearts of man. Not sure who it is that "many" are but I've never heard anyone share the Gospel and tell the listener you need to accept "just in case" - who is it that teaches this - please list several as they are "many." Please include some quotes to support their "cheap grace" teaching.

"Truly believing on the Lord Jesus Christ is not a matter of repeating a few words as though you were signing an insurance form and making a payment, or 'buying' a ticket to heaven."

Again, how do you know what is in their mind when they believe in the simple Gospel that was in the Acts text? It doesn't say you must believe and not do the following items in the belief.

"Believing is not simply intellectual acknowledgment."

Uhhhh, then what is it? Belief is turning from one belief system to another. If you are lost, you believe in the Gospel, then you have decided to leave the world system and believe in God's system - simple isn't it - that's why they call it simple belief

"It means you are willing to turn your back on the way of life you have known (this involves repentance) and, no matter the risk, deciding to follow Jesus."

Yep, just covered that and how do you know all these "cheap gracers" don't follow God? Do you track each one. Seems your statement is quite sweeping.

Besides, I've seen a number of lost people living better lives than believers. Most Catholics I know are living better lives than many believers.

"You can't really follow HIM without being indwelt by the Holy Spirit, which means you must be born again. However Jesus tells us that He turns away no one who comes to Him.

So?

"I hope that helps you understand that there is a vast gulf between cheap grace and actually believing on our Lord."

No it doesn't in fact. "cheap grace" is your term, not God's. Grace does not come with a price tag, it is free to all, you seem to cheapen that offer with your placing a value on it and assuming you know the motives of everyone that accepts Christ in some way not in keeping with your ideas.

If they teach cheap grace then what are you teaching, expensive grace?

The Gospel is presented to all, and it is up to God to determine quality and reality of those that call upon Him for salvation. And I might add that the basis is "believe" not believe the way I do or else, nor is it believe in these points and do these things to get in.

 

Rachel, thank you.

exscentric, James reminds us (2:19) that even the demons believe there is one God. They have the intellectual acknowledgment of that. It does not save them.

There have been a number of books written regarding 'cheap grace' or 'easy believism' and its devastating effects on people and churches. One good one -- although I am not a Calvinist -- is John MacArthur's The Gospel According to Jesus.

It is not a matter of me judging anyone. It is, however, to be noted that if everyone who says they accepted Christ as Savior really did, America would be quite a different place!

If there is no change in your life after you have "accepted Jesus", then you have accepted a false Jesus. His purpose is to sanctify a life to God through the work of the Holy Spirit. That sort of life is NOT like -- in any way, shape or form -- a 'normal' life in our world.

One example I can give you is my own mother. She spent her life wrapped up in herself, even to the extent of having an affair with a married man in our town for the last ten years of my father's life. She consulted psychics and believed sin was simply a matter of having a bad attitude. My brother got her to say the 'sinner's prayer' under threats of eternal damnation. So she did.

And her old life continued. She was still seeing the same man, still figuring sin was only a bad attitude and she was just about rid of all of hers on her own behalf, still believing in reincarnation (her excuse for her affair was that they had actually been married in a previous life...), etc. etc. until the day she died.

I would like to believe my mom is in heaven, but the sad reality is that she probably isn't. She was duped into thinking saying the right words would please God and save her. Yes, God judges the heart, but the attitudes and actions of a man show what is in that heart.

 

"James reminds us (2:19) that even the demons believe there is one God. They have the intellectual acknowledgment of that. It does not save them."

Very true, but read what I said and you will see that this does not relate to what I said about belief.
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"There have been a number of books written regarding 'cheap grace' or 'easy believism' and its devastating effects on people and churches. One good one -- although I am not a Calvinist -- is John MacArthur's The Gospel According to Jesus.

That is not support to show "many" that teach this.
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"It is not a matter of me judging anyone."

That is your opinion. I will allow you one

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"It is, however, to be noted that if everyone who says they accepted Christ as Savior really did, America would be quite a different place!

Agree, but if all that are Christians would live as they ought things would be different as well
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"If there is no change in your life after you have "accepted Jesus", then you have accepted a false Jesus."

Again, your opinion, but a declaration does not make fact.
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"His purpose is to sanctify a life to God through the work of the Holy Spirit."

Well, ya think?
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I find examples quite lacking, as I can tell you of people that accepted the Lord and had no change in their lives because they didn't know the Bible and didn't get into a church where they could be taught. Had they died they would have gone to glory because belief is the key and understand that, as I have already stated, indicates a change of direction. This example doesn't prove my point either so not sure examples help.

 

Well, the topic was Oregon, and we have been really happy the Lord has brought us in contact with.

 

Yep, stay here a few years and you might meet someone that was born here most oregonians are transplants.

I was in Portland in the Navy and fell in love with it on the spot. Been here most of the time since.

 

I'm not trying to start a political argument but the fact of the matter is this. The blue states are the ones that need new churches and are some of the hardest areas to work in.
I've been up in New England alot. You better have thick skin and be a steady plodder if your gonna start a work up there.

My wife's uncle was a church planting missionary up in N. England for years. Even up in Nova Scotia.
One thing he always said that I find in common with the Oregon believers. Once they are saved they are serious about following the Lord. The fact of the matter is they want to see if your serious!

Maybe its just my preference but we need another church in the south like we need a hole in the head. I can never figure out why people want to plow up the same old ground? I live in Northeast OH. and I drive 25 miles to get to a Bible preaching church.

 

"I can never figure out why people want to plow up the same old ground?"

Cuz its easier plowing like you indicated earlier in your post