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Compassion International

Sunday Edition


30
Nov
2004
Grace to All


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Looking back over the years of this great industry, the message of the music can easily be seen by all. With so many great songs written from the heart and out of life experiences, it is hard to overlook the simplicity of it. Life can be very difficult at times. It seems like Christians especially can be overwhelmed with temptations and daily struggles. This is where the music comes in. It gives hope to the hopeless. It brings joy to the downtrodden. It brings happiness to the grieving. And most importantly, it directs the sinner to Calvary.

Many times in a Christian's life it can be easy to concentrate so much solely on the lost that we forget about those Christians out there struggling daily to overcome obstacles in their lives. With so many great songs of mercy and love out there (That's Why They Call it Grace, Mercy Saw Me, Child Your Forgiven, Amazing Grace, Thanks to Calvary, Sinner Saved by Grace, The Cross, Please Forgive Me, Even in the Valley, etc.) it is often assumed that these songs are for the lost. Yet now more than ever, it seems that these songs have just as much meaning and purpose to those that are doing the ministering.

We have had many ministers (artists, preachers, evangelists, missionaries, etc.) stumble and fall over the last few years. This is truly sad, but we must remember that these are mere men and being in a ministry in no way gives one super power to never sin again in his or her life. It is our reaction as Christians to these fallen soldiers that will be a witness to the lost. It is important to remember that the number one cause of atheism today is Christians. They acknowledge God with their mouths yet they deny Him with their actions and attitudes. We have a great message of Love, support, forgiveness and grace in our music. We must live these messages that are in the music we so dearly love and support. God never wanted us to throw away the fallen soldiers and give up on them and say they should never minister again. If this was the case, we would never have had David, Paul, Peter, John, Moses, etc. These great men of faith and God fell hard during their ministry. Yet, God never gave up on them. He also restored their ministries to an even greater power.

It is time to begin to live the message of our songs. No more tearing down or ridicule. Let's show love to all no matter of their statue in society. For if we all think about, everyone sins on a daily basis. Thank God he doesn't push us to the way side every time as some Christians chose to do. He simply picks us up and reminds us that we can never fall far enough away from his arms of love. That is why Southern Gospel music is such a great ministering tool. It is for everyone. After all, we are all nothing but "Sinners Saved by Grace."

Reader Comments

Hello, my friend! I saw you had an article and I just had to take a look. Bro. Johnny touched on this in his sermon last Sunday. We can find in the scriptures how many times Peter messed until he received power from on high. Then he preaches a message and three thousand souls are saved! God has a place for all of us, doesn't He?!


Commented by Sally Quick On 12/03/2004
Excellent article, Scott! God's grace really is.....amazing! Thank God, His grace is still sufficient and His mercy still endures every day in my life. God promised that I could never be separated from his love. My prayer is that He would help me extend that grace and mercy, with unconditional love, to my fellow soldiers of the cross, as well as to the lost.

Thanks for this gentle reminder!!


Commented by John Lanier On 12/14/2004
These are noble and fine words. As a "non professing Christian" (if there is such a word), I give you my heartiest accolades. Very well put, everybody. Sunday school is over.
Question is: what about our attitudes? We quickly judge ourselves and each other according to our works (don't cuss, don't drink, don't run around, ect.). The problem with that is, is we begin to use actions as a guage to how holy and righteous we are -- which is fertile breeding ground for self righteousness and a critical spirit. We set ourselves up as a judge. Christ condemned the Pharisees and the Scribes for such attitudes. Yet the church world and the SG world is full of Pharisees.(And you wonder why I am careful to call myself a Christian. Most of the people I am around hate Christians for that single reason!)
Grace. Hmmm. A very interesting topic. Let's go and find our brother Kirk Talley, restore him and his ministry, and we'll see who understands grace. Until we can say with all truth that we can forgive and restore a fallen brother, let's keep our words to a minimum about grace.


Commented by Kevin Wicker / Progress Music Nashville On 12/30/2004
Your article is right on !! Ministry personnel are human also. Satan fights them just as hard, or harder than anyone. I know.. been there done that. To Kevin Wicker, I agree. Some who "fall" are crucified, and others get by with just a "slap on the wrist". We were all sinners saved by grace, and there except for the grace of God go I.


Commented by On 01/24/2005
hello,
i am looking for a song or album sung by "The Scotts" singing Mercy and Grace. i cannot find this anywhere and really would love to hear it again. i was wondering if you might know how to aquire it.
thank you,
bill


Commented by On 04/04/2006
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