Enjoy Life, Enjoy God

THEOLOGICAL TURNAROUND

April 5, 2010

We just celebrated Easter. The women went to the tomb to care for Jesus' body, and discover a whole new thing. From grief to rejoicing, an emotional and a theological turnaround.

Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
-John 1:16 TNIV

This verse in the opening words of John's gospel is a theological turnaround tour de force. We are told in a one-liner that our religious experience must not be defined by law and the imperative, but by grace. The bearer of that grace is none other than Jesus Christ. Our theology is not grounded in obligation and regulation, but in a gracious walk with a person, Jesus.

The turnaround is complete when we start walking "relationally" rather in check lists of do's and don'ts. From duty to grace. That's the turnaround. That's the good news.
Joyfully,

Dale Patterson