In 1789 the french monarchy had put the country into financial ruin, depleted the treasury and was looking for a way to collect more taxes. After striking out with the nobles and clergy (who were exempt from taxation) King Louis XVI, made a bit of a mistake. In a final act of desperation, Louis XVI decided to convene the Estates-General, an ancient assembly consisting of three different classes that each represented a portion of the French population. One of the three classes were the commoners. While no answers came from the Estates-General it did give the commoners the confidence to revolt. You know the story; the Bastille was stormed, Louis lost his head, etc. etc. What happened next, of course, is the most interesting part of the story. The revolutionaries, were so focused on the "sins of the past" and so paranoid about the present, without a clear vision of the future; that they became much worse than the government that they overthrew. 15,000 people lost their heads to the guillotine in one year during this reign of terror.
Why the history lesson. Simple. Because many of my brothers have stormed the Bastille of legalistic holiness or fundamental Calvinism. The natural human reaction is for us to now rebound to another extreme that could be just as harmful and ungodly as the former. I want us to somehow skip the cycle and move directly into the life that God wants for us.
Fellow rebels from Wesleyan Holiness abuses - don't forget that Christ reminds us that if we love him we will keep his commands.
Rebels from fundamental Calvinist abuses - well you know from what you have rebounded too far.
All this is easier said than done - but its a part of my journey - Thanks for joining me.
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2 comments:
The best way to describe everything you say is a "punch in the face!" But not in a bad way. I am awoken to new thoughts, new beliefs, new convictions, new happiness, new sadness, every time you write or say something. Don't take offense and don't stop being who you are. I am learning to love you as a brother, and you are becoming a better friend to me than you have ever been in the past. Thank you Steve.
Hey - cool post. It is very interesting of the mention of the extremes - Holiness & Calvinism. I believe that in the foundation of both - there is a focus on Christ and the Kingdom. It is amazing how far both camps have moved from that foundation.
I have many similar questions floating in my mind. So many questions, only one answer.
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