…But…
an unauthorized autobiography of the Apostle Paul
by
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Reading this book may well, if you let it, liberate you from the frustrating treadmill of fear, guilt, shame, and the uncertainty you’re more than likely often overwhelmed with concerning the effectiveness of your efforts to win the approval of God. The main objective of Paul’s ministry was to dispel the bewitching notion of self-righteousness in favor of accepting the unmerited favor and acceptance of the love, grace, mercy, and peace of God for “one,” well actually, for “all.” …The secret agenda of this book is not to teach what you need to know about God, rather, what God knows about you! This magnificent revelation will alter the way you think, and more importantly, the way you act. …Paul, after an incredible mind blowing experience on one particular trip, got a glimpse of God’s perspective, and never looked back. In fact, if you study the context of all he wrote, you’ll discover the main objective of his ministry was to dispel the notion of self-righteousness in favor of accepting the unmerited favor and acceptance of the love, grace, mercy, and peace of God, “once,” for “one,” and for “all!” …Like the apostle Paul, Martin Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, among others, I’m a protestant of sorts. I too “protest” the status quo of self-righteousness. It offers nothing I find comfort in. I’ve resolved to unashamedly proclaim my faith and trust in the One who has redeemed me, who has placed my feet upon the solid rock of salvation based solely upon the work of Jesus on the cross and through His resurrection. …Listen! I’M NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS! Why? Because the gospel message of Jesus is the power of God bringing liberation to those trapped in the slavery to the pursuit of self-righteousness through laws, rules, and regulations. Those who believe in the message of God’s great compassion for this whole world are saved from this great tyranny of legalism. Some Jewish folks have been among the first to understand the scope of God’s will and power, and now, many Gentile folks are coming to understand what God has done applies every bit as much to them! This is simply the bottom line: In the gospel message of Jesus is the revelation of the righteousness of God. He has faithfully revealed Himself to the whole world in the faithfulness of Jesus. Surely it is written, “Those who are righteous have been justified by the faithfulness of God, and now live in His abundance and liberty” (Habakkuk 2:4). …“And now, I’m dead to the law because God has superseded the law with His grace. God sent Jesus to replace the law with His mercy and grace. The life I live now is in God because He has initiated His peace.” “I’m no longer at war with God, for I’m no longer liable for my effort or achievements.” “Yes, I’ve been crucified with Jesus!” “I am participating in all the benefits of Jesus’ death, including the freedom from the bondage to laws, rules, and regulations. Look at me! I’m still here aren’t I?” “Of course I am. You can touch me, see me, and hear me. I’m alive just like you are. What makes the difference to me now is that I live in the knowledge and the understanding of what God has accomplished for me with His grace.” “I now live by the faith of the Son of God. I’m keenly aware my life has purpose because Jesus has put His faith in me.” “How do I know that?” “Because He loved me so much He gave Himself for me! Can it get any better than that?” “Pete, I don’t frustrate the grace of God! If righteousness would come by virtue of our keeping the law, then Jesus died for nothing at all!” …Don’t worry! Be happy! It’s a done deal! The one who has already accomplished this great provision for the whole world is none other than God Himself! Of course! He has already made it a certainty. How? God has guaranteed our new clothing as well as our new eternal existence in His presence, by giving to all the Spirit of Jesus! Therefore, we can have absolute confidence knowing the only separation between us and God is merely the difference in the vessel and space we’re inhabiting at the moment. Don’t put all your eggs in the basket of your ability to understand this great truth. YOU DIDN’T CARVE OUT THE PATH YOU’RE WALKING ON. You didn’t establish your walk. It’s been established by the faith of Jesus in God’s wisdom and ability! …What’s the scoop? God was in Jesus. That’s how He did it! God simply reconciled GOD CHOSE NOT TO GIVE US ALL WHAT WE DID DESERVE, PREFERRING INSTEAD TO GIVE US ALL WHAT WE DID NOT DESERVE! To top it all off, God chose not to impute everything we did, are doing, or will do against us. The liability of sin will never be held against anyone ever again! the whole world to Himself. God has given us His word of honor! His reconciliation is a once and for all deal! The full meal deal! This is the reason we do what we do. We’re simply ambassadors to tell others the good news of Jesus. God is merely using us to relay the message in a way you can understand it. We pray you wouldn’t lose sight of this wonderful news of God’s reconciling love for the whole world. For God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to be sin for us! Why? So we all might be made the righteousness of God in Jesus! ...What’s my favorite piece of advice I could leave with you from all of my writings? Let me take you back to a passage from a letter to my Roman friends. “Therefore, since your righteousness is based solely upon the will and activity of God, not upon the resolve of your belief, nor upon the successful adherence to laws, rules, and regulations, I plead with you, my dear friends, ACCEPT THE MERCIES OF GOD FOR WHAT THEY ARE! You are living examples of the sacrifice of Jesus, not skillful players in the game of offering sacrifices of works which are as dead as doorposts.” …“LIVE LIKE YOU ARE, HOLY! Live knowing you’re acceptable to God the way you are! This is a very reasonable way to live.” “Don’t be conformed to the wisdom (foolishness) of this world that would have you sucked into the downward spiral of performance based guilt and shame.” “BUT, be transformed.” “How?” “By the renewing of your mind!” “Why?” “So you may prove what is the good, acceptable, perfect will of God!” (Romans 12:1-3)
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About the Book
Provocative! In the economy of eternity this book just might revolutionize your life. If you find yourself exhausted circling the treadmill of "self-righteousness;" overwhelmed in your hopeless ability to win the favor of God; or, debilitated by the lust and perversions of the doctrine of "works;" then you'd better read this book, in fact, you may need to read it several times! On the other hand, if you're afraid of getting your mittens dirty playing in a different sandbox; if you're somewhat nervous taking a peek beyond the stained glass windows in the religious structure you're most familiar with; or if you don't have the stomach to taste something outside your traditional spiritual diet; well, quite frankly, this book is more than likely not for you. "…BUT…" unleashes a staggering wealth of insights into the life, heart and soul of the Apostle Paul, illuminating the theological status quo that at one time seemed even palatable to Paul himself, then invoking a mind boggling, liberating way of living in the abundance of God's mercy and grace. Discover what God knows about you! If you come away with the awareness you're a precious, holy, and redeemed child of God, free to bask in His blessings, then wow, cool, what a scoop or three!
About the Author
A pilgrim on a journey of discovery. A student of living in the "now." As an abundantly blessed husband, father, and grandfather, the author shares this legacy of his understanding of God's passion for His children, and the insights of his experiences in the land of abundance and liberty.