A Reassuring Reminder

 Recently, during Bible study, I heard the process of the Christian life explained in the most reassuring way. I've always struggled with understanding the stages of justification, sanctification, and glorification - or even with the idea of the stages.

As I often tend to do when I need a laymen's explanation of something during Bible study, I checked Got Questions. This was the answer:

"As Christians, we were justified when we confessed Christ and believed (Romans 10:9), we are sanctified as we grow in holiness through the work of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:11–32; Galatians 5:16–24), and we will someday be glorified when we are resurrected into eternal life (Colossians 3:4). Justification is a one-time event, sanctification is a process, and glorification is a future event." (Got Questions) [my emphasis]

Isn't that a beautiful and concise answer? 

When my niece died, she had just become a believer. While I was so happy that she had come to Christ before her life here ended at such a young age (36), I spent time thinking about my personal grief. Something I'd heard once long ago, made that grief more bearable. I hope you are as glad as I am to know that:

"The Scriptures speak of being saved in three tenses and senses. In one place the scriptures say that we "have been saved" (past). In another place they say that we "are being saved" (present). In yet another place they say that we "shall be saved" (future)." (from Simply Bible) [my emphasis] 

I just wanted to share this with you. I found it instructive and encouraging. Please make sure the read the sources in their entirety.  

Peace

--Free

On The Critical Race Theory Mess

Critical Race Theory* (CRT) has been in the news a lot lately. Honestly, I had no idea what CRT is and I only wondered about it because of the "clickbait" headlines. I ignore most clickbait because those links usually lead to my either wasting a lot of time or having to do breathing exercises to bring down my blood pressure. 

The only reason I now have a bit of a grasp on the theory is because of a video from a YouTube channel I follow. Answers in Genesis  (which I highly recommend) did this video and while I agree with the points made, I'm still not sure how I feel about CRT as a black woman in America.

The title of the video threw me off (and intrigued me) but watching it was informative. I don't usually struggle with reconciling social matters with my Christian beliefs. I know that I live as a Christian in an anti-Christian society. I have realized though that when I do struggle it is with matters of race - or racial divides. 

I have been black longer than I have been a Christian. When trying to digest the truths of what the speaker in the video was pointing out, I kept trying to readjust my mindset from thinking like a black person to thinking like a Christian - and it was hard to separate the black part of me from the Christian whole of me.

See what I mean?

As I am thinking about the whole mess of CRT, the two things I am - Christian and black - keep trying to argue with each other. 

As a Christian, I know that we humans are all one race with a variety of skin shades - black, white, yellow, red, brown, etc. In our society, I also know that we are seen as this-not-that - in my case, black - not just someone with a certain level of melanin.

As a Christian, I know that we are all equal in God's eyes. However, I know that the society we all live in does not see with God's eyes. We see differences in race and class and skin color and hair texture and accents. We not only see differences, but we also look for them. That's part of our fallen nature. And this is not just among those "in the world" but also many of us believers.

The one thing I feel sure of is that Critical Race Theory is another of the schemes of the Enemy. Anything that causes so much confusion and hatred and division among Christians has to be of the Enemy. 

So, my flesh is struggling with the entire theory of race - critical or otherwise - while my spirit is willing to know that there is one race. 

I am glad that I saw the video. I am now thinking a lot about getting my heart right on the issues of race. I am praying for guidance on how to deal with the confusion and hurt CRT causes.

Peace

--Free

* I wasn't even sure of the best link to attach for an explanation of CRT. I thin Wikipedia is a good starting place.

**REVIEW** ESV Economy Bible (Giant Print Paperback)

 As mentioned in my last post, here is the review of the ESV Bible I recently got. 

It is the ESV Economy Bible, Giant Print, Paperback.

I will try to list what I like about it most and/or any criticism:

Affordability - This Bible is less than $10 on Amazon and you may be able to find it even cheaper elsewhere. Check Walmart, Christianbook, and other retailers online or offline. (I will explain in a moment why I mention the affordability.)

Readability - The print is a 12-point type and dark enough for those with aging eyesight (me!). There could be more room between the lines where there are no verse breaks. Pages without a lot of verse breaks look crowded. Another issue is that, like most "large print" books, this Bible is rather large in size. It's not something I can tuck into my purse easily! But because it's paper, it's lightweight and easy to hold and carry one-handed.

compared to my 8-point ESV Bible
BIG difference

Paper quality - The newsprint paper is wonderful for writing on. On the other hand, newsprint can be flimsy and not very "water-friendly". Also, there is not a lot of room on the margins for notetaking.

Helps - There are not many "helps" and extras but the ones included are nice. The Plan of Salvation is detailed - not just a gloss-over. There is a 40-day reading plan. Reading Plans are SO helpful for anyone trying to get started with a book as important and in-depth as the Holy Bible.

The reason I mention the price is that a lot of people just starting to read the Bible may not have a lot of money to spend on one. Also, many people who are new to the Bible are just trying to get started somewhere - anywhere. They might be trying to find a translation they feel comfortable with. If they like this translation, then they can get a copy with more durability and additional things like a commentary, helps, center notes, etc.

Also, if you are buying Bibles for someone, this is more affordable. As a matter of fact, I will buy a copy of this or a similarly affordable Bible for the first three people who contact me saying they would like to have a Bible. As a matter of fact, if enough people contact me, I will find a way to get more Bibles to send to them.

I got this Bible for myself because I like to read the Bible in the evenings while laying in bed or when I am not feeling well. This one has a print size I can easily read and the binding is flexible enough for me to fold back pages. My other Bibles are filled with my stickers and tabs and other markings that I don't want to disturb. 

I've mentioned in the previous post why I like certain translations of the Bible. The ESV is so readable while not straying from true translation. I'm beginning to like it more than I like the NASB for both study and general reading.

I do realize that many people use electronic resources for reading and studying the Bible. I myself use eSword. However, there are some people who are not comfortable with technology - or maybe they just prefer reading and using a physical copy of a book. I sometimes prefer using my hardcopy Bibles - especially for marking and making notes. I can do that in eSword but... I can be old-fashioned!

Anyway, this is a really good copy of the Bible for many reasons. I'm not linking to Amazon for you to buy it there - if you buy it at all - but just because I got my copy there and you can read reviews easier. I'll remind you again to check wherever Bibles are sold to get whatever copy you want. Just do read and study the Bible because it is essential.

Peace

--Free

This is non-sponsored, of course. I got this Bible on Amazon but I also like to shop Christianbook.com. They always have sales and deals. Also, you can sign up to get a discount.