Religion vs The Gospel

I find myself living my life according to what religion says I need to do and be and not what the Gospel says I am in Christ. In this chart from his book, Center Church, Tim Keller points out the main differences between Religion and the Gospel.

And The Survey Says...

Growing up, one of my most favorite game shows was The Family Feud. And no, not the one with Louie Anderson (of Splash fame) or John Hurley (from Home Improvement) or even the newly revamped version with Steve Harvey. I'm not even referring to when the show was hosted by Ray Combs. I'm talking old school Richard Dawson Feud! Now I realize that I was only seven when Dawson ended his run on The Feud, but he's the one I remember most and best.

What I loved so much about it was how it was a game solely based on popular opinion. So all you had to do is think like the majority and you could win easily! Ok, I didn't necessarily realize it at the time, because what seven-year-old thinks of how a game is awesome because it has no real correct answer and is completely left up to speculation of what a majority of random people think. But I believe that's what I liked so much about it...subconsciously that is.

However, the more I think about it now, the more I realize that is how many of us actually live out our lives. I look at my own heart and life and I see it so clearly now. It's like I'm living out a game of family feud. I'm clamoring to be the first to push the buzzer and shout out what the popular answer is to life's most important questions. Who I am, what I do, where I go, it's all about what other people, random people, even people who have no real concern or care for me, think or believe about who I should be, what I should do, or where I should go! And the worst thing is I trust in what the survey says.

Now in my "game"/life I'm not pitted against another family. It's more like a constant and continuous opening "face-off." And my opponent isn't another person, it's God. But here's the real issue. In a game like family feud, I'd beat God. Because the top five answers on the board about who I am, are from the world's survey and what the world says about me is...

5. He can't handle it.
4. He needs to try harder.
3. He needs more education.
2. He's a failure.
1. He's just not good enough.

And I'd get it right! Because I am more concerned with what the survey says than what God says! See when God looks at me He does His own survey. And through the blood-bought grace poured so lavishly upon my life by Jesus Christ, God sees a new creation. He slams His hand down on the buzzer and says...

5. He can do all things through Christ! (Philippians 4:13)
4. He doesn't need to earn His keep! (Ephesians 2:8-9)
3. His mind is being transformed and renewed. (Romans 12:2)
2. He has victory through my Son! (1 Corinthians 15:56-57)
1. I am his and he is Mine...and that's good enough! (Romans 8:28-30)

God smashes the board of popular opinion, He makes foolish what we believe to be wise. But you know what? He doesn't lose a game of Family Feud, because He simply refuses to play it. This world and what it treasures is fleeting. Don't let others define who you are. Don't let this world tell you you're not good enough. Know your Heavenly Father. Trust and believe on The Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. Allow the grace that is ready to be poured out upon all who will believe cover you and make you new. Understand that "there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1) And above all...don't follow what the survey says!

The Reveal...

Today, my wife and I (and apparently an entourage of others) are going to pile into a tiny room. In this room, a nurse is going to rub some jelly stuff on my wife's belly and run a Star Trek tricorder over the area to tell us if we are having a boy or a girl.

I am well aware that God has a plan and a purpose and that no matter what, our hope and prayer is for a healthy, happy baby, no matter the gender. With that being said, I don't want to be out numbered in my own home, which I have been for the last year and a half since the birth of our first child, Zoey. Now don't get me wrong, I adore our bright-eyed, beautiful, sweet little girl and wouldn't trade my little princess for anything. It's just...three against one seems more ominous. You see if we have a boy, we even up the odds. And of course, it makes for perfect teams down the road (i.e., Boys vs Girls).

But all kidding aside, I am eager to find out what our next addition is going to be. Boy or girl, God is planning something amazing for our family. As a man with a speech impediment my fear has been, will my child have to grow up with the same issues and difficulties that I experienced growing up? And the more I think that the more God showers His grace on me and reminds me that I never walked this path alone and He wouldn't let my child walk it alone either. So I'm excited to find out the news and to see what God has in store for our new baby whatever.

But just as a precaution...from one who stutters on the "p" sound. I'm thinking of leaving out names like Penelope Piper Peavyhouse and Peter Pippin Peavyhouse for my sake...and theirs!