Is God's Grace Scandalous?

God's Grace ... It's amazing ... It's wonderful ... It's moving ... It's powerful.  God's Grace is satisfying, uplifting, and lasting. But wait.

God's Grace ... A lamb ... A Cross ... A Sacrifice ... A Fateful Friday ... A Dark and Lonely Day ... A Savior Lying in the Grave. God's Grace is inexplicable, confounding, illogical.

God's Grace. With our tiny human brains, intellects, and reasoning, We would never have come up it! It's beyond human reason or understanding, and beyond the realm of human invention.

The innocent One taking the place of the guilty, suffering for other people's sins and transgressions, and dying for guilty sinners as their Substitute. Amazing, yet scandalous!

Why? Because God didn't have to die in the place of sinners. He is perfect and holy, and could have chosen to remain separate from sinners. Yet instead, God chose to come down to this earth and dwell among us. In other words, God decided "to move into the neighborhood". He came to live amongst us in order to "seek and to save that which was lost." And God dies for us on a cross as our substitute, and offers us forgiveness, peace, and assurance that we can have eternal life. Scandalous! ...

It doesn't seem fair, it seems unjust, and illogical. That is not what human justice does. The guilty must pay, the transgressor must be punished, the criminal must be locked up in jail to pay for his/her crime. But God's Grace says, "I'll take your place, I'll pay your sins, I'll die in your behalf." More that this, God offers us the perfect life of Christ in exchange for our messed up imperfect life. Scandalous? Yes. Amazing? Altogether!

God's Grace is amazing, it is wonderful, it is moving, and it is powerful. It is inexplicable, confounding, illogical, and scandalous! Yet it is altogether lovely, deep, heart-fixing, soul-satisfying. I want to live God's Grace, taste it, eat it, and revel in it. I want to experience it, share it, and love it.

God's Grace is Amazing!

"For it’s by God’s grace that you have been saved. You receive it through faith. It was not our plan or our effort. It is God’s gift, pure and simple. You didn’t earn it, not one of us did, so don’t go around bragging that you must have done something amazing." Ephesians 2:8-9, The Voice paraphrase Bible

~ S.A. Garcia

Local Prayer Vigil for Family and Victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting

When: Wednesday December 19, 2012

Time: 7:30 - 8:30pm

Location: Culver City Spanish 7th Day Adventist Church

Address: 5320 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 

All are welcome! ... Let us come together to pray for healing, comfort, and encouragement!

What's Controversional about Standing up for Truth?

CONTROVERSIAL

DEEP CHRISTIAN VALUES

HOMOPHOBIC

DOOMSDAY THEORY

CONSPIRACY THEORY

CRAZY CULT MEMBER

DANGEROUS BELIEFS


What do all of the following words have in common? They have been used recently by the mainstream media (www.tmz.com) to describe the moral beliefs of a new Christian convert who has taken a stand for truth. So what is so "Controversial" about standing up for something these days? Isn't it wise to stand up for something in our life? Or should be just blend in with society and adopt those values and morals that go with the times? 

For instance, the New Bible of Psychology is no longer classifying certain "Temper Trantrums" as Bi-Polar, etc., nor is it including Homosexuality as a disorder as it had in the past. Times change, and so every field of study must keep up with the times or be left in the sphere of irrelevance. But what about truth and faith? Aren't they something that is worth standing up for, or are they merely miniscule ancient creeds that need to be eroded and buried in ancient catacombs and graves of non-importance? The truth could indeed be closer that we imagine.

Unless, we stand for something, we run the risk of falling for everything . If we allow society to dictate our views, we may end up espousing loose moral values, being Sexually promiscuous, Dishonest, implementing Situation Ethics,  Machiavellianism (the end justifies the means), adopting Religious Plurality and Universalism.

Truth exists, and it must be bought and never sold at any cost . So my question is, "What do you believe to be truth that you are willing to stand up for?" Is there any Truth that you are willing to die for?" ... In our personal, organizational, and societal efforts to be relevant, we run the risk of abandoning truths, both moral and religious, and may end up actually becoming 'INSIGNIFICANT" and "IRRELEVANT".

People today are searching for truth, purpose, and meaning. While America may not be religious, it is definitely spiritual. People are searching for God and for truth. Someone who stands and believes in something greater than themselves is more likely to live with more purpose, meaning, and significance, than one who doesn't.  

There are three things we can be sure of in in our lives:  Number one, God exists. Number two, "I'm not god". Number three, "Your not god either".  

So let's go in search of truth even if it means being labeled controversial. Let's stand and live for something. Let's find something that we are willing to defend as truth, and even die for if necessary. After all, MLK Jr. once said, "You have not yet learned to live, until you've found something that you are willing to die for!" Let's examine everything that seems suspect and counterfeit, and let's buy, love,and share the truth. Buy the truth at any cost. Love truth more than life itself. Share the truth at every opportunity. Live your life with a purpose and mission. Today can be that day for both you and me.

~ Sal Garcia

Show and Tell

 "Show and Tell"

Growing up as a child, there is no greater joy than Fridays or other days when you can bring a toy for "show and tell". "Let's see for the letter 'A', how about a stuffed toy Alligator? ... For the letter 'M' how about 'Marshmallows?' "Yes that is great!",  I can hear some of you saying. Those were the good old days when as children we experienced the joy and pleasure of 'show and tell'. "Question: Having outgrown your childhood, do you still experience the thrills and joys of 'Show and Tell'? Answer: You can every single day."

One of the greatest means of spiritual growth that God has given us as a gift is in helping others discover and experience the joy and thrill of following Jesus. There is bar none, no greater joy in your life than being able to "show and tell" the good news of the Gospel of Christ with people who are in desperate need of hearing good news. As followers of the Risen Christ, we have a great opportunity to join God in showing and telling others that Jesus is Lord of all. 

I still remember when as a younger man (I'm still young for the record), someone came to show and tell the Good News of Jesus Christ with me when I was sixteen years of age. It's true, at sixteen years of age, unless you already know and love Christ, or you are the product of a Christian education or Christian home, you are going to be "crazy, curious, and willing to experiment anything". Right? "Well, almost", I can hear you saying. 

My problem was not drugs, sex, or money. While not the product of a Christian eduction from K-12, I did learn some values, morals, and principles from a Godly mother that helped me to say no to "drugs, illicit sex, and a wasted life." However, I was just as lost as anyone else could be without Christ and the Gospel. I felt empty, hopeless, and with a big void in my life.

But God had faithful friends named Will Sutton, Ricardo Lopez, and John Carter, who believed it is always the right time to "Show and Tell" the Gospel. I'm so glad they did! While time, place, and occasion are all important factors to consider (How many of us would yell out in a grocery line, "Accept Jesus people. It's your best move!?"), it is always the right time to "show and tell" the story of redemption and the Good news of the Gospel. At sixteen, I was blown away to hear that God loved someone like me. Before then, I had been living for nothing; since then I have been living for something. Before then, I had been living for no one; since then, I have been living for Someone. 

 I gladly accepted the Gospel invitation to belong to Christ and follow Him. 

Looking back, it is the best decision "I have ever made". "Thank you!" to those who left comfort, stability, luxury, family, and friends to "show and tell" the great things that God had done for them through the Gospel. Thank you Will Sutton (where is he these days by the way? Only God knows!), Pastor Ricardo Lopez (for translating into Spanish and inviting me to Amazing Discoveries with the Carter Report), and to John Carter for presenting the Gospel so clearly that even as a crazy sixteen year old, I was able to hear the Gospel for the very first time. Thank you to those who also have shared the Gospel with someone else in some way, shape, or form. Words are not enough to express our gratitude.

 Well, it's now time to return the favor. It's time to "Show and Tell" the Gospel with others. The Gospel is the best news in the whole entire world, and God is looking for friends and followers who will take their Bibles in hand and heart, and with the assurance of prayer and the accompanying presence of the Holy Spirit, Go and "tell the world" that Christ loves them and is coming back soon to take them to Heaven! Will you be Christ's friend and follower who "Shows and Tells" the Gospel to someone in your life today? I hope you do!

~ Sal Garcia

It's Voting Time: Exercise your right to ... Live Forever

You know it is in you. It just seems right. In fact, when you visit a friend in the hospital or attend a funeral, you know something just doesn't seem right. Death rightly seems like in a invader and alien in our human experience. Why? Simply because we were meant to live forever.

Eternity has been placed in our heart and human experience from the very start of our lives. While any kind of death is sad to experience, perhaps the saddest form of death is not being prepared for eternity. That is, being ready to live "forever".

The greatest book to influence mankind, the Holy Bible, says that eternity and a life of living "forever" can be ours as a gift. John 3:16. In fact, at this point in our human experience, we can't live forever, or experience eternity unless we accept it as a gift from God. We can't earn it, deserve it, or work for it. We can only accept it as a free gift.

The next time we visit our friends in the hospital or attend a funeral, let us remember the truth about human existence and eternity. God has created us to live forever and enjoy his friendship and love. May our experience of living forever and eternity begin today as we get to know the personal God who is offering us a life without any end. John 17:3 .


Yours,

Pr. Sal Garcia

Peace ... One thing you can't live without!

The One Thing You Need to be Happy

Africa, The Domincan Republic, El Salvador, the Philippines, Baja California. I've visited each of those countries as a college student. What do they all have in common?  In each of those countries you find the same kind of people: People who are hurt and longing to experience God's forgiveness and peace. Hands down, I've met them in every one of those countries. Now a more important question: Have you experienced peace and God's forgiveness today? ... You can ... it's easy ... In fact, God is inviting you to experience His Love and Forgiveness today. Our greatest need in our life today is knowing that we have a mediator (intercessor) and that God provides us with Forgiveness and peace free of charge. God can graciously offer us peace because He has already made provision and paid the cost to grant us forgiveness as a free gift. There are a few landmines and obstacles that will keep you from receiving God's love, forgiveness, and peace today. Be on the prowl as you zero-in on God's gifts today.

The Greatest Obstacle to Experiencing God's Forgiveness and Peace

There are many obstacles and hindrances to experiencing God's forgiveness and peace. Your past, your present, or failure to forgive yourself for some wrong act you did in your life can all be great factors. In order to receive God's forgiveness and peace, you need to learn to forgive yourself for your past no matter how dark or tragic it might be. The saying is true after all, "God forgives those who can forgive themselves." While it may not be wise to try and forget your past, you do need to let go of your past, your perpetrators, antagonists, and the pain and hurt associated with this. By holding on to your past and living/reliving your pain each day you are inflicting emotional and sometimes even psychological trauma to your present life. Not forgiving your enemies who have harmed you in past, and holding on to the pain and hurt each new day, is like taking poison each new day in the hopes that it will cause your enemies pain. The sad truth is that only one who are hurting and inflicting pain and trauma is yourself. Let go of your past, learn to trust God to rearrange your present life and circumstances, and be willing to forgive your enemies without forgetting your past. In other words, learn to forgive, but do not forget! ... If you forgive and forget, you will find yourself in the same situation again all over. 

For people of faith and spirituality, there is a Giant that also lingers in the horizon of our forgiveness and peace. This nemesis is especially fond of tripping, knocking, and destroying those who come to believe and behave as though "They are good, okay, and fine, based on their behavior and external attainment." This is the trap known as legalism. It's a religion that says, "If I behave properly and follow the rules, why God has to give me eternal life. Why, He owed it to me." The sad truth is that Legalism has destroyed many a person of faith and spirituality by stealing the joy and peace that come from loving and following God "because He first loved us."

Martin Webber, author of sda4me.com and Who's Got the Truth?, writes: 

"Some of the most depressing, faith-destroying fallacies in the history of Christianity have infiltrated the Adventist Church through misunderstanding the sanctuary and the judgment. I remember as a child being threatened week after week in church and day after day in church school. The goal was good behavior, motivated by an incessant bombardment of guilt and fear: "Unless you become absolutely perfect in character, you cannot be saved when Jesus comes. Even now your name might have come up in judgment, and you might already be past the close of probation." Several classmates were convinced that their probation was past and they had committed the unpardonable sin. "What's the use even trying," they would lament. So they gave up hope and gave up God. More than 20 years later most of them are out of the church. Thanks to legalism. What a shame."

(http://www.scribd.com/doc/17458840/Desmond-Ford-Section-I-Webers-analysis-of-Fords-Theology)

Our Only Hope is the Gospel of Christ

If Legalism is the great pretender that steals the joy and forgiveness out of a relationship with Christ, then the opposite must be true: Only A Religion of Grace and Gratitude can experience joy and forgiveness each day. After all, "Religion is Grace, and Ethics is Gratitude." Grace means that it is a gift that can not be earned or merited. It is a free gift without any strings attached. That is the kind of religion and spirituality that Christ invites us to have. Coming to Jesus just as we are with all of our sins and failings, and allowing Him to clean up our life. In fact, when we surrender our lives to him in faith and are baptized, Jesus places a sign on the door of our heart that says, "Transformation in progress. Do not disturb or impede." Transformation is in progress but perfection is completed. We are perfect in Christ the moment we believe and receive the free gift of salvation and eternal life. What is the free gift of eternal life? Jesus Christ is salvation and eternal life. Once we accept Jesus and enter into a life of faith and trust in Him, then we begin to live a life of gratitude for all that Jesus has done for us. We begin to observe the Law of Liberty, God's commandments. His commandments are not burdensome, but instead becomes God's fences for the free! God's commands do not restrict our liberty, but instead help us to live within the confines of what will truly make us happy, joyful, and full of peace. So how about it? Trade in the cheap counterfeit of legalism for a religion of Grace and Gratitude and see how little it will take for you to experience God's love, forgiveness, and peace. That is an offer, too good to pass up!