House vs Grace

I'm watching House. You know the TV drama series staring Hugh Laurie. His character, House, is a typical athiest. He not only doesn't believe in God, but he believes that all people are generally selfish and self centered. House doesn't believe that people can be nice, or that people can change for the good, and that people cannot act benefically for the good of others or for the good of mankind. Because he doesn't believe in God, he doesn't believe in goodness and graciousness.

Athieism removes any reason for people to act on behalf of a greater cause or to have reason to live a righteous and moral life.

How sad!

Without the existence of God, I believe this world we live in would never have become what it is today. Mankind would never have become what it is today. We would have, long ago, destroyed ourselves. We would have been completely morally corrupt without the existence of God and never would have developed morally much less in any other productive or positive way.

Because of the existance of morality it only makes logical sense that God exists.

Same thing is true of love. If God does not exist then love cannot exist if House and other athiests are right. If God does not exist then love is only a raging animalistic lust.

Sin is in opposition to God and sin brings about the same consequences in this world as if there was not a God--degradation and corruption.

Grace is another proof of God. Without grace we might as well be athiest and athieism would be a reality. When we live and react in our lives without grace we are acting like House - as an athiest.

A Recovering Legalist

I've heard the phrase a few times here lately about being a recovering legalist. I have to smile a bit when I hear this because I know that is what I am. Can you imagine in the same way that AA and other types of recovery meetings take place that one would be held for recovering legalists.
I was talking with Debby about how such a meeting might proceed. At the beginning of every meeting you have people who introduce themselves and then they have to tell for what purpose they are there, for example at AA meeting you hear that a person will introduce themselves and say, "hello, my name is so and so and I'm an alcoholic." The idea is to openly admit to yourself and others what your addiction is so that you can face the need for recovery.

Here are some of the introductions you might hear at a legalist recovery meeting:
...Hello my name is Sherry and I judge people.
...Hello my name is Bart and I think I'm the only one going to heaven.
...Hello my name is Jane and I choose to be right over being kind.
...Hello my name Joe Bob and I think the KJV is the only inspired translation of the Bible.
...Hello my name is Billy Joe and I decide what truth is and you must believe the way I see it.
...Hello my name is Mary and I love people because I have it to, but I don't have to like them.
...Hello my name is Johnny and I worked hard to earn my salvation.
...Hello my name is Steve and I've never heard a sermon on grace.
...Hello my name is Debbie and what's love got to do with it.
...Hello my name is George and I prefer sacrifice and never mercy.
...Hello my name is John and I write everybody up.
...Hello my name is Betty and I keep a record of all your wrongs.
...Hello my name is Bill and I believe there is no excuse for ever missing a Sunday service.

Just a fun little approach to help us see the need for more grace in our lives. I wouldn't be opposed to such recovery meetings.