The church is part of a brand new order in God's Kingdom where human authority is not required to legitimize its message and deeds.

It is neither required nor desired, recognized nor sought. It is a strange and wonderful movement where everything is turned upside down in order to land right side up. It scandalizes our notions of worthiness when the prostitutes and tax collectors enter before the religious folks who ask for authority and legitimacy from the world and honor from the religious institutions that title them.

God, let us be the sons that do what you tell us to do and don't just talk about it and posture ourselves for position.

"And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.""

“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him."

(Matthew 21:23-32 ESV)

 Where are we? We are right where we started. We live in a world of ambiguity and confusion, a world of tension and hostility, and a world of lust and desire. We share a common humanity with every broken soul on this planet.

We are bearers of good news, prophets of repentance, messengers of grace, candles of light, purveyors of hope, and children of God.

We are sent into the world to be different. Our spiritual forefathers took on the burden of strange and complex restrictions in order to be different, holy, and unique. Some wore identifying clothing. Many took marks upon the most personal anatomical features in order to be set apart.

The church, likewise, spiritually marked, is set apart. We do not fit in, but there is a place for all enter in and find a fit.

The covenant of walking with God in the community of His church is a hard and demanding one. It does not always fit the culture or make rational sense. The Head of the church invites you to come and learn of Him and to take His yoke upon you. He does not rush you or coerce you. He does not demean you malign you. But He will remake you and …

If you choose to follow and continue to follow, He will ask of you some things that make you ask, "Why Lord?"

Where are we? Not where we used to be and exactly where we've always been – different, set apart, and called to holiness.

We are constantly being called back to the basic essence of scripture to seek God and His ways. We are constantly challenged to rethink our assumptions and reaffirm our core commitments. We are constantly provoked to peel away the layers of commentary and application of our religious culture and traditions and fin God's instructions and revelations in a new world that is becoming newer and older every day.

Is this this or is it that?

We will always ask about this or that, but we must be grounded in something that is neither this nor that, but OTHER, Wholly Other!

We are always going back in order to start over.

Don't worry about it. It is the same God in a different setting.

Now, about that Free Pass

Romans 5:1-2 – A Free P.A.S.S. : 

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."  –Romans 5:1-2 (NIV)

From The Message:  "By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us–set us right with him, make us fit for him–we have it all together with God "

P for Peace                 The well-being factor.

A for Access                The welcome factor.

S for Standing           The well-put factor

S for Shouting           The well-spring factor