Surprised By Grace - How The Risen Christ Can Change The Mainline One Pastor At A Time

http://www.reformationucc.org/2008/07/16/surprised-by-grace-how-the-risen-christ-can-change-the-mainline-one-pastor-at-a-time/

[ReformationUCC.org] 25 Sep 2008--Editor’s Note: Is there any genuine hope for the mainline? If so, in what might that hope consist? Yes. There is hope. But not the kind that comes by the continued compromise of truth and bureaucratic tinkering. So where might actual hope lie? That hope lies in the sovereign grace of God displayed in the lives of individuals. This is the same type of hope revealed in Ezekiel 37, and only that hope. It is a hope based not on whimsy, but solidly grounded in the merciful purpose of God the Heavenly Father to redeem a fallen world through God the Son, Jesus Christ, through the sovereign working of God the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, this hope is based on the promise of the One True God that the Good News of the Risen Christ was not only for the Apostle’s and their hearers, but also for covenant children (Acts 2:39 & 1 Corinthians 7:14) and whomever else the Lord wills to call. Taking our confidence in the Lord of 2 Chronicles 7:14, we unite in prayer for the conversion of all those within the mainline who reject the joyous truth of God’s Word. This autobiographical essay was originally posted here by Rev. Toby L. Brown who holds the copyright. Rev. Brown is a mainline pastor and graduate of the mainline seminary establishment. This is republished with permission.