God’s Faithfulness

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GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

Today is Mother’s Day. Take some time today to honor that special Mother in your life!!!

“He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

One of the blessed characteristics or attributes of God is His faithfulness. Both Old and New Testament passages affirm this truth (e.g., Deuteronomy 7:9; Lamentations 3:22-23; 1 John 1:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13; etc.). Our theme text combines this fact with the truth of God’s effective call of believers. It declares that, having called a person to trust Him, this trust would not be in vain because He is absolutely trustworthy and dependable. The present tense is used with the word calls indicating that this is a process which is ongoing. It can be understood to indicate that God has been calling people through the ages. The believers in Thessalonica were respondents to His call.

What these folks needed was the assurance that the One who called could be depended on to do that which was prayed for in verse 23 – preserve them blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Note, he didn’t prayer that they would be sinless but blameless. In other words, Paul knew that sin is always likely but blame was dealt with at the cross.

The final clause of verse 24 provides the key to the effectiveness of God’s call. He not only calls but He completes His purpose. The promise is given, “who also will do it.” Two verses from Philippians present this truth. “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). And, “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

We must acknowledge that we cannot live the Christian life. God has known this all along, and therefore He places the responsibility on Himself, working in us the desiring and the doing of His good pleasure. You can trust Him to live His kind of life through you. — Pastor William A. Raws

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 10; 2 Kings 10-12; John 1:29-51

Great Quote: The good news of the gospel is not that God will provide a way to make life easier. The good news of the gospel, for this life, is that He will make our lives better. We will be empowered to draw close to God and to love others well and to do both for one central purpose, to glorify God, to make Him look good to any who watch us live.” Larry Crabb, Shattered Dreams

Everyone Wants to Be First

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Everyone Wants To Be First

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of your selves; it is a gift from God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” Ephesians 2:8-9(NKJV)

There are days when I wake up and praise God that “I ain’t everybody!” but then I have my days that wind up with me saying that “I have behaved like everyone else “. It is in these times where Paul’s words “What a wretched man I am” come right to the fore front of my mind. And I wish these same words would find some other folks as well.

You see the economy was suppose to be in the dumper and no one, but no one had any money to spend. But then this weird thing happened where I work. Orders for fence and railing started coming in with no end in sight. And everyone wants their stuff before everyone else who wants their stuff. So when everyone finds out that everyone else is getting their stuff before everyone else, they all get mad……at me!

My brothers I’m asking you this morning, Where do you find grace under pressure? As for me, I am constantly looking up and asking What? What do you want me to do? I gave up on asking why. I don’t think I was being listened to. What I am suppose to say? What am I suppose to convey? WHAT? Oh…and is there fence and railing in Heaven, because if there is did Ezekiel cover those dimensions in his prophecy. Oopps, went off track for a moment.

So where am I going? The first place is Faith. Without it I’m done. I may not have a complete faith in my abilities but I have faith in Him who provides those abilities. The second place I am going is being saved by His grace. Without it I get what I deserve. Which these past few days I have had some of our customers make suggestions.

It is nice to be first, I guess? But knowing that what I have is a gift from a God who could have taken everything that I do have away does being first matter? Jesus said the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Try saying that to a secular world hell bent on getting anything first. But here is something that Jesus did that was a first. He surrendered His life for the same secular world who wants to be first. After saying that I wonder who wants to be second? –Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent Freedom Fighter contributor

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul.”
Mark 8:35-36

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 9; 2 Kings 7-9; John 1:1-28

Great Quote: When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure. Peter Marshall

Better Late Than Never

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Better Late Than Never

Well as of 1:00 PM yesterday, no official proclamation was issued by our President for the National Day of Prayer. Sometime around 3:00 PM it was posted on the Whitehouse.gov website:

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary———————————————-For Immediate Release May 7, 2009
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, 2009- – – – – – -BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PROCLAMATION
Throughout our Nation’s history, Americans have come together in moments of great challenge and uncertainty to humble themselves in prayer. In 1775, as the Continental Congress began the task of forging a new Nation, colonists were asked to observe a day of quiet humiliation and prayer.
Almost a century later, as the flames of the Civil War burned from north to south, President Lincoln and the Congress once again asked the American people to pray as the fate of their Nation hung in the balance.
It is in that spirit of unity and reflection that we once again designate the first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer. Let us remember those who came before us, and let us each give thanks for the courage and compassion shown by so many in this country and around the world.
On this day of unity and prayer, let us also honor the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. We celebrate their commitment to uphold our highest ideals, and we recognize that it is because of them that we continue to live in a Nation where people of all faiths can worship or not worship according to the dictates of their conscience.
Let us also use this day to come together in a moment of peace and goodwill. Our world grows smaller by the day, and our varied beliefs can bring us together to feed the hungry and comfort the afflicted; to make peace where there is strife; and to lift up those who have fallen on hard times. As we observe this day of prayer, we remember the one law that binds all great religions together: the Golden Rule, and its call to love one another; to understand one another; and to treat with dignity and respect those with whom we share a brief moment on this Earth.
The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as amended, has called on the President to issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a “National Day of Prayer.”NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 7, 2009, as a National Day of Prayer.
I call upon Americans to pray in thanksgiving for our freedoms and blessings and to ask for God’s continued guidance, grace, and protection for this land that we love.IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third. — BARACK OBAMA
Since making an issue of this, I felt it responsible and fair to also share the text of the proclamation. I shared with our folks today, we don’t have to like our President. We don’t have to agree with ideals and philosophies. But Scripture tells us we are to love him and to pray for him. Let’s not be critical if we are going to love him and pray for him first. May God bless America. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK
God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 8; 2 Kings 4-6; Luke 24:36-53
Great Quote: The God who created, names and numbers the stars in the heavens also numbers the stars of my head. He pays attention to very big things and to very small ones. What matters to me matters to Him, and that changes my life. Elisabeth Elliot

We’ve Come A Long Way — Have We?

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We’ve Come a Long Way — Have We?

The following prayer was written in George Washington’s own handwriting in a prayer journal that he kept for the various days of the week. In honor of George Washington’s birthday (which advertisers succeeded in the 1980’s in renaming President’s Day for purposes of sales promotions), I want to post this prayer. It is said that George Washington’s character was the “wonder of the world”. With an abiding faith in his Savior, it is easy to see why the Father of our country had such a reputation.

O eternal and everlasting God, I presume to present myself this morning before thy Divine majesty, beseeching thee to accept of my humble and hearty thanks, that it hath pleased thy great goodness to keep and preserve me the night past from all the dangers poor mortals are subject to, and has given me sweet and pleasant sleep, whereby I find my body refreshed and comforted for performing the duties of this day, in which I beseech thee to defend me from all perils of body and soul.

Direct my thoughts, words and work, wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb, and purge my heart by thy Holy Spirit, from the dross of my natural corruption, that I may with more freedom of mind and liberty of will serve thee, the ever lasting God, in righteousness and holiness this day, and all the days of my life.

Increase my faith in the sweet promises of the gospel; give me repentance from dead works; pardon my wanderings, and direct my thoughts unto thyself, the God of my salvation; teach me how to live in thy fear, labor in thy service, and ever to run in the ways of thy commandments; make me always watchful over my heart, that neither the terrors of conscience, the loathing of holy duties, the love of sin, nor an unwillingness to depart this life, may cast me into a spiritual slumber, but daily frame me more and more into the likeness of thy son Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time attain the resurrection of the just unto eternal life.

Bless my family, friends and kindred unite us all in praising and glorifying thee in all our works begun, continued, and ended, when we shall come to make our last account before thee blessed Saviour… — President George Washington

As of the writing of today’s Freedom Fighter (9:20 PM 5/6/2009) there was no official proclamation from our President endorsing or calling the nation to pray as a part of the day of prayer. Personally, that speaks volumes. I am very disappointed. This does not mean that I will not continue to pray for our President, but I believe this is another indication of his agenda. May God bless America. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 7; 2 Kings 1-3; Luke 24:1-35

Great Quote: The God who created, names and numbers the stars in the heavens also numbers the stars of my head. He pays attention to very big things and to very small ones. What matters to me matters to Him, and that changes my life. Elisabeth Elliot

National Day of Prayer

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National Day of Prayer

“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 1 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

I am breaking my promise. I promised not to use Freedom Fighter as a vehicle to push a political agenda. I would address this issue whether or not our President was a Republican or Democrat.

Thursday marks the 58th observance of the National Day of Prayer. As of the moment, our new President has not written a Presidential Proclamation in recognition of the day. In fact, the atheist political machine, along with so many other anti-religion groups, have been pushing hard to have our President not only ignore the Day of Prayer, but ban it as well.

It saddens me that our new President appears to be caving to the special interest groups who want to deny the proven beliefs of our founding fathers. From George Washington to our previous President, prayer has been an integral part of their daily lives.

We are losing our freedoms and privileges in an alarming matter. For example, if the proposed Hate Crime Legislation is passed, graduates from the Colony of Mercy like our own Bill Pruitt, could be censored and forbidden to share how the Lord set them free from their sexual sin.

Let’s not bury our heads in the sand, brother. We must speak up. In relation to the National Day of prayer, I want to encourage you to contact your Senator and Congressman and let your voice be heard. Tell them you are urging them to direct the President to support the National Day of Prayer.

I called my State Senator’s office today and was told politely that my “suggestion” would be passed on to the Senator. I told the young man on the phone that this was not a suggestion, but a strong recommendation as a citizen of the State of New Jersey. At that point he asked for my name and phone number.

One woman was able to get prayer out of the schools. Are we willing to sit back and have this important day banned? Here is the number for the White House: Comments: 202-456-1111.
Thanks for your consideration. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

If you would like to join in our celebration of the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, you can watch live by visiting our website: www.americaskeswick.org. We will begin broadcasting at 10:00 AM

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 6; 1 Kings 21-22; Luke 23:26-56

Great Quote: It is true that the faith, which I am enabled to exercise, is altogether God’s own gift; it is true that He alone supports it, and that He alone can increase it; it is true that, moment by moment, I depend upon Him for it, and that, if I were only one moment left to myself, my faith would utterly fail… George Muller

God’s W

God Chooses Earthen Vessels

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GOD CHOOSES EARTHEN VESSELS

“We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” (2 Corinthians 4:6-10)

God calls ALL of His children to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). But, too often, we think that anyone who sincerely desires to serve the Lord has to possess certain qualities. However, no one is born into this world fully qualified to be a useful servant. Rather, in His own way, God takes that which is inherent in each person and makes that one a valuable instrument. God selects the experiences that fit into His perfect plan for each life.

History reveals that many of the “most unlikely to succeed” have become ones that God has used in a powerful way. Verse 7 in 2 Corinthians 4 reminds us that the TREASURE – the Gospel of the glory of Christ – is hidden in EARTHEN VESSELS (clay pots). Much molding is often needed to prepare them for that priceless privilege of sharing the Gospel of His love.

Among several things mentioned in the Bible that were broken was the alabaster box which Mary of Bethany broke when she poured that costly ointment on Jesus’ head (Matthew 26:7). In order for that treasure inside to be enjoyed by all in the house, the box had to be broken! The value was not in the box, but in what it contained. And when the ointment was poured out, the house was filled with its fragrance!

God chooses earthen vessels, easily broken, yes, needfully broken, so that the incomparable treasure of Christ’s life within us may flow out from us to others. His soul-satisfying sweetness can become theirs. But the “excellency of the power” is ALL of God, not of us (2 Corinthians 4:5-10).

When we realize how “earthen” we are, verse 10 tells us the only way in which the life of Jesus may be displayed through us: “always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus.” God asks nothing less than our constant reckoning on the fact that “we have died and our lives are now hidden with Christ in God.” For as we have died with Christ we also are alive in Him.” Only in this way can He get all the glory. (Psalm 115:1, 2) — Ruth D. Raws was the daughter of Addison Raws and Pastor Bill’s sister. She was a missionary nurse in Guatemala and then served for many years at America’s KESWICK directing our prayer ministry. She is with the Lord.

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 5; 1 Kings 21-22; Luke 23:26-56

Great Quote: The foundation of the Christian’s peace is everlasting; it is what no time, no change can destroy. It will remain when the body dies; it will remain when the mountains depart and the hills shall be removed, and when the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll. The fountain of His comfort shall never be diminished, and the stream shall never bedried. His comfort and joy is a living spring in the soul, a well of water springing up to everlasting life. Jonathan Edwards

Please check out this week’s STEWARDSHIP INSIGHT BY GEORGE. It is a good one!
http://keswickgeorge.blogspot.com/

Afraid of What?

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Afraid of What?

“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I not be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

Fear. It seems like fear is quickly becoming the word of the day. Instead of using a color-coded alert system for terror, we could many would welcome a color-coded fear alert.

Think about some of the fears that we are facing just in the past several weeks: Swine Flu. Deeper Recession. Increased taxes. Job losses. Al Quaeda possibly compromising Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. Iran and North Korea moving ahead with their nuclear programs. Increase in Islamic Jihad threats.

We are seeing an increase in men and women losing their lives for their faith around the globe. In recent days and man walked into a church sanctuary and fired a gun at the pastor, killing the pastor and injuring several parishioners.

God’s children need never to allow fear to rule and reign in their lives. It is not that we will never have fears — we should not allow these fears to cripple us.

One of my favorite bloggers is Tim Challies. In his weekend blog, he shared a poem that was written by Presbyterian missionary E.H. Hamilton following the recent martyrdom of one of his colleagues, J.W. Vinson, at the hands of rebel soldiers in northern China. Challies writes that ” small Chinese girl who escaped from the bandits related the incident that provided the inspiration for Hamilton’s poem.”

“Are you afraid?” the bandits asked Vinson as they menacingly waved a gun in front of him.
“No,” he replied with complete assurance. “If you shoot, I go straight to heaven.”
His decapitated body was found later.

Afraid? Of what?
To feel the spirit’s glad release?
To pass from pain to perfect peace,T
he strife and strain of life to cease?
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
Afraid to see the Saviour’s face,
To hear His welcome, and to trace,
The glory gleam from wounds of grace,
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
A flash – a crash – a pierced heart;
Brief darkness – Light – O Heaven’s art!
A wound of His a counterpart!
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
To enter into Heaven’s rest,
And yet to serve the Master blessed?
From service good to service best?
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
To do by death what life could not –
Baptize with blood a stony plot,
Till souls shall blossom from the spot?
Afraid? Of that?

Is there something you are fearing today? Are you crippled by fear? Run to Jesus. Let Him move you from fear to faith. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 4; 1 Kings 16-18; Luke 22: 47-71

Great Quote: We may not preach a crucified Saviour without being also crucified men and women. It is not enough to wear an ornamental cross as a pretty decoration. The cross that Paul speaks about was burned into his very flesh, was branded into his being, and only the Holy Spirit can burn the true cross into our innermost life…. A. B. Simpson

I Thank God and Pray for You

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I Thank God and Pray for You

In quoting from Romans 12:2 yesterday from the Phillip’s Translation, I was reminded of how much I loved this translation of the New Testament.

I am very grateful for our Freedom Fighter family, and want you to know that I pray regularly for you. I couldn’t help but think of all of you when I read through Ephesians 1:15 —

Since, then, I heard of this faith of yours in the Lord Jesus Christ and the practical way in which you are expressing it toward fellow Christians, I thank God continually for you and I never give up praying for you; and this is my prayer:

That God, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ and the all-glorious Father, will give you spiritual wisdom and the insight to know more of him: that you may receive how great is the hope to which he is calling you — the magnificence and splendor of the inheritance promised to Christians — and how tremendous is the power available to us when we believe in God.

That power is the same divine energy which was demonstrated in Christ when he raised Him from the dead and gave him the place of supreme honor in Heaven — a place that is infinitely superior to any conceivable command, authority, power of control, and which carries with i a name far beyond any name that could ever be used in this world or the world to come.

God has placed everything under the power of Christ and has set him up as head of everything for the Church. For the Church is his body, and in that body lives fully the one who fills the whole wide universe.” Great prayer from the Apostle Paul. This is my prayer for you. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 3; 1 Kings 14-15; Luke 22:31-46

Great Quote: We all agree that forgiveness is a beautiful idea until we have to practice it.(Clive Staples) C. S. Lewis

Brothers — we have several opportunities for your consideration:

1. Are you into Southern Gospel music? Join us next Tuesday for our FOUR DIVAS concert with Joyce Hayes, Diane Susek, Sue Dodge and Allison Durham Speer (5/12/09) Call the office for ticket information: 732-350-1187 or check out the website: http://www.americaskeswick.org/

2. SPRING LADIES DAY — May 13th — Our speaker is Allison Durham Speer. Great present for your wife. There is package rate for the concert and the Ladies Day. Call the office: 732-350-1187.

We are here to serve you — now pick up the phone and make your reservation today!

Do Not Be Conformed to This World

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Do Not Be Conformed to This World

“Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into it’s mold, but let God remold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves toward the goal of true maturity.” Romans 12:2 (Phillips Translation)

I have told you before that I battle in my mind and heart the concept of imitating the culture in order to reach people with the Gospel. I am becoming increasingly convinced that we possibly cross a dangerous line in the steps we take to reach people for the kingdom.

I have often said that I am most upset with the trendsetters who years out predict what people will want and expect. We tend to buy into their thinking, and before we know it, we end up tailoring our programs and outreach only to find that those fads and trends quickly fade because the trends have shifted in another direction.

There are some bright lights — some men and women that are taking a stand. One young man is the grandson of Dr. Billy Graham, Tullian Tchividjian, the successor to the late Dr. D. James Kennedy’s church, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church.

In a recent Christianity Today article about Tullian, he states, “Younger generations don’t want trendy engagement from the church; in fact they’re suspicious of it … Instead they want truthful engagement with historical and theological solidity that enables meaningful interaction with transcendent reality. They want desperately to invest their life in something worth dying for, not some here-today-gone-tomorrow find.”

Tullian pastored New City Church prior to taking over Coral Ridge, and he said, “If you want your friends to know New City, come and watch her worship her Lord. You’ll know much more about us when you see the God we worship and how we respond to him in worship than if you were to come and the kids get their faces painted.”

I think it is important for us to remember that in trying to reach the culture too often we have tried to initiate them to the point of our undoing. Paul exhorts the church at Roman to “not allow the world around you (the culture) to squeeze you into its mold.”

I would encourage you to step back and ask yourself the question, “Am I being squeezed in the wrong mold?” The world is starved for answers. I believe God’s WORD still has those answers. While some believe that truth isn’t truth any more, and that stories are more important than precepts, we at America’s KESWICK are committed to teaching the truth from God’s WORD. For a complete list of Bible teachers who will be on campus this summer, please visit our website: www.americaskeswick.org. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 2; 2 Kings 12-13; Luke 22:1-30

Great Quote: The most authentic witnesses of any man’s character are those who know him in his own family, and see him without any restraint or rule of conduct, but such as he voluntarily prescribes to himself. If a man carries virtue with him into his private apartments, and takes no advantage of unlimited power or probable secrecy; if we trace him through the round of time, and find that his character, with those allowances which mortal frailty must always want, is uniform and regular, we have all the evidence of his sincerity that one man can have with regard to another; and, indeed, as hypocrisy cannot be its own reward, we may, without hesitation, determine that his heart is pure. Samuel Johnson

Victory One Step at a Time

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Victory One Step at a Time

And the Lord you God will drive out those nations before you little by little; and you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. Deuteronomy 7:22

Do you find yourself frustrated that you are not walking in victory? Consistently? You go for weeks and then you blow it? My friend, YOU are trying too hard. You need to allow CHRIST to live HIS perfect life THROUGH you. And it happens one step at a time. As Pastor Bill Raws would say, “One step in front of the other — trust and obey … trust and obey.”

Dr. Henry Blackaby writes: When God led His people into the Promised Land, He did so step by step. If He had allowed them to annihilate their enemies at once, the land would have been too difficult to manage. So He allowed some of the enemies to remain for a time in order to maintain the land and suppress the wildlife. In doing so, God taught His people to trust Him STEP BY STEP. He gave them only as much responsibility as they could handle at one time.

As God leads you in your Christian growth, He will allow challenges that match your character and relationship to Him. God will not totally change your character at once when you become a Christian. Rather, He will lead you through a process to become more like His Son.

He will keep working in an area in your life until it is totally controlled by the Holy Spirit. You may eagerly desire maturity in every area of your character, but steady, gradual growth is more lasting.

God will not take shortcuts in His process of making you like Christ. He sees your life from eternity and will take as long as necessary to produce lasting spiritual growth in you.

Do not become impatient while God is producing Christlikeness in you. Do not seek more responsibilities than those He has given you. Obey all that you know He has asked, and He will lead you at a pace that fits your present character and His purposes for you.”

Good words from the author of EXPERIENCING GOD in his daily devotional, EXPERIENCING GOD — THE DEVOTIONAL — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 1; 1 Kings 10-11; Luke 21:20-38

Great Quote: “Sometimes with great effort (most church members) can be maneuvered into some active role in the church’s program, like a trained seal in a circus act, but their hearts are not fully in it. They may repeat the catchwords of the theology of grace, but many have little deep awareness that they and other Christians are ‘accepted in the beloved.’ Since their understanding of justification is marginal or unreal – anchored not to Christ, but to some conversion experience in the past or to an imagined state of goodness in their lives – they know little of the dynamic of justification. Their understanding of sin focuses upon behavioral externals which they can eliminate from their lives by a little will power and ignores the great submerged continents of pride, covetousness and hostility beneath the surface. Thus their phariseeism defends them both against full involvement in the church’s mission and against full subjection of their inner lives to the authority of Christ.” Richard Lovelace, Dynamics of Spiritual Life.