sunday morning.

already blogging again. but, i really wanted to share this.

"Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love." - Galatians 5:2-6

i woke up on this sunday morning and came to taylor's bakery to get some schoolwork done. first, however, i decided to study for fellowship group this week. we have finished the tim keller study on 1 john, and now are studying 2 john on our own. therefore, it takes a little more effort on my part. i search the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, commentaries, and lexicons. well, why am i at taylor's on a sunday morning? i go to church at 5:30 PM now. therefore, i have the mornings free. what better way to spend a morning than in a coffee shop? but, here's the deal. i find myself wanting to explain to everyone, i go to church at 5:30! and i run into several friends here, and they look confused. i quickly explain, i promise, i go to church at 5:30. it is my biggest concern. hmm... what is wrong with that picture? i am putting my faith in my actions. yes, being obedient to God involves being a part of a local church body. however, why is it important to me that everyone knows that i, kate, am being righteous. i am being involved. the Lord sees my heart. i wrong Him every day and He forgives me. He knows my agenda, He knows what is going on in my life this morning. it reminded me of the church in Galatia when there was so much argument over circumcision.

Paul was saying, don't you get it? if you put your faith in circumcision, you have lost the essence of the gospel, and you are out on your own. your faith is worthless if it is in something apart from Christ. if it is in your appearance before men. therefore, as i sit here wanting to explain to the whole world, i go to church at 5:30, i am putting my faith in outward righteousness and how i appear to others. and well, that's a worthless faith. instead, i will fix my eyes on Christ.

"Completely Done" - Sovereign Grace Music

What reason have I to doubt

Why would I dwell in fear

When all I have known is grace

My future in Christ is clear

My sins have been paid in full

There’s no condemnation here

I live in the good of this

My Father has brought me near

I’m leaving my fears behind me now

Chorus

The old is gone, the new has come

What You complete is completely done

We’re heirs with Christ, the victory won

What You complete is completely done

I don’t know what lies ahead

What if I fail again

You are my confidence

You’ll keep me to the end

I’m leaving my fears behind me now