GRACE

[Carl Thomas Gladstone]

::The Conversation::                              September 24, 2006 When asked, "What does Justification mean?"  people have a pretty good idea.  It has something to do with giving a reason, right?  Like having a good argument for why you're doing something or other?  Oh, and it means something religious too. When asked, "What is Sanctification?" people are less apt to have an answer. What do these graces of God mean?  Where do they fit in the landscape of God's grace? If justification is the grace that offers forgiveness and enables repentance, and sanctification is the grace that continually allows us to move toward a life of social and personal holiness, is that it? What about the grace of God that allows for creation to exist at all?  What about the grace that works in people's lives even before they know it?  What about the grace of God that can make people perfect in Christ? To be justified and sanctified are but two moments in the grace-filled lives that we lead in the loving relationship of God with humanity. Carl Subscribe to the PODCAST! GATHER the EMERGE community Royal Oak Friends in Faith YAFF: Rochester Newburg YA Fellowship Wesley Foundation UofM GROW The Wesley Project 3rd Testament Project Soulstretch GO The NOAH Proj. Cass Community Baldwin Center Sierra Service Project City Year: Detroit Project Transformation PT: Oklahoma PT: Virginia US-2 Program Peace Corps Jesuit Volunteer Corps READ  Genesis 1  How would God be different if creation had never happened?  God's very essence is that of gracious giver - God is the one who creates "that which is not God" in an outpouring of love, and even sticks around to redeem God's sinful creatures.  Would God be worthy of our worship if, like popular culture sometimes portrays, God was aloof from creation, not offering the graces of conviction, forgiveness, justification, and sanctification?

Upcoming Events Information Thursday, September 28 Emerge Community Worship/Coffeehouse, 8 PM Worship * Concerts * BibleStudies/Trips *

*For those new to this email list - each Thursday I send an e-message to students and young adults connected with BHAM First UMC, and with the developing EMERGE worship community for young adults.  These emails are meant to stay in touch with you, encourage you in your Christian journey, and pose some faith-filled questions that might spark some email correspondence.  If you have any questions about this list, just drop me an email at the address above. Peace.

carl thomas gladstone | deacon, first umc, birmingham, mi | 248.646.1200 | cglad...@fumcbirmingham.org