spirituality – Grace Evangelical Society

The Short Commandment

March 19, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - love, Martin Luther, spirituality

Jesus commanded you to love (Mark 12:31). Paul said that if you do not have love, you are nothing (1 Cor 13:2). And John said “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death” (1 John 3:14). Love is key, but what does it

Find the Poor, Sick, and Needy, and Serve Them

March 16, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - love, Martin Luther, spirituality, Tuomo Mannermaa

Since Jesus gave you everlasting life by simply believing in Him (John 3:15-16, 36; Eph 2:8-9), what should you be doing with all your free time? You don’t need to be earning, keeping, or securing your eternal salvation—so that eliminates 99% of what usually passes for religious activity in the world—so what kinds of things should you

Hospitality to the Lonely

December 17, 2019 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - hospitality, loneliness, spirituality

It’s been 17 years since Robert Putnam’s best-selling book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community sounded the alarm about societal changes driving new levels of isolation and alienation; by now, most of us know that loneliness isn’t a problem to be laughed off. Researchers warn that we are in the midst of a loneliness

Love One Another as Brothers and Sisters (Romans 12:10)

December 13, 2019 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - love, spirituality

What should Christian spirituality look like? I often wonder how much damage works salvation has done to the churches over the centuries, not just in promoting a false gospel, but in also promoting a false spirituality. When you think you need to work your way to heaven, then spirituality is going to look very different for you than

Alexander Strauch on the Potential Impact of Christian Hospitality

December 12, 2019 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - hospitality, spirituality

What does a practical “Christian spirituality” look like? That’s what I’m seeking to understand as I seek to follow the Lord more closely and to raise my kids to do the same. The problem those of us in the Free Grace movement typically realize is that so much of today’s teaching about “spirituality” assumes a salvation-by-works gospel, which inevitably

“My Way”—Frank Sinatra Spirituality

August 5, 2019 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Christian Life, dependence, Major Thomas, spirituality

In “My Way,” Frank Sinatra famously sang, Regrets, I’ve had a few But then again, too few to mention. I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption. I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway, And more, much more than this, I did it my way. …

Burden Bearing (Galatians 6:1-6)

December 17, 2018 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Christian living, Galatians, Sanctification, spirituality

I believe that Christian “spirituality” boils down to loving Jesus and loving your neighbor. There are some other elements, to be sure, but that’s the master theme. And this isn’t an emotional-sentimental love. It’s a practical, get-your-hands-dirty kind of love. It’s a give a hungry person a sandwich, or better yet, give him a job, kind of love. Christians shouldn’t be known for their spiritually useless liturgical calendars (Gal 4:10) or esoteric

Big Business, Little Service (Gal 5:14)

November 29, 2018 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Galatians, love, neighbors, spirituality

Religious superstition is a huge industry. Who knows how many billions of dollars are spent every year on amulets, statues, candles, medallions, icons, relics, special foods, holy water, special breathing techniques, anointed oil, prayer cloths, grave soaking, and pilgrimages? I’ve been watching Leah Remini’s documentary on Scientology, and I was shocked to find out how