Matt Smallbone

I realized a very sad thing today.

I realized that during my Universtity years… my Christianity was defined by the things that I wouldn’t do.

I wouldn’t drink, swear or have sex.

One of the saddest things about evangelical Christianity in 2010 is that the average Joe only knows us by what we don’t do. Unfortunately… “they will know that we are Christians by our love” is more of a song these days than any kind of honest assessment by the vast majority of us who attend church on Sunday.

Let’s change this. The church NEEDS to be a force rather than a fortress.

Love

Matt

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I stood before a judge this morning…

I had been clocked going a mere three miles an hour faster than what I could have got away with (whilst dropping a mate at the airport). It was an understandable, even charitable mistake. Three miles an hour is the speed at which humans walk. It was no big deal.

However, I stood in front of that well-mannered and educated man and I said,

“Guilty, your honour”.

Despite the fact that I was driving with no evil intentions in mind, I was as guilty as both the lady who didn’t strap her kids into their car seats and the guy who disrupted a funeral procession.

My profession of guilt was humbling and energizing all at the same time. It was freeing to admit my transgression to another human. The Catholics are right about that.

At my moment of confession, a lot of things about eternity snapped into sharp focus.

I believe that I will be in that same position again one day after I die.  However,  next time I’ll be betting the farm that Jesus died to save me from myself and my sin.

On that day I want to hear “Well done good and faithful servant”.

I don’t really feel that good or faithful most of the time.  (The Calvinists are right about that total depravity stuff). BUT…  I will be covered by grace… and I believe that that will be enough. I have no other hope of success. Grace will be my first and last chance on that day.

I was reminded about the reality of the coming judgment today. My $75 fine is the best spiritual investment I’ve made in a long time. This was a life lesson worth having.

Drive carefully,

matt

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