A Call from the School Office

Getting a call from the school office or Principal is a dreaded thing by any parent. That's the last thing you want or need during a busy day. But just yesterday my phone rang and it was Yates saying, "Mr. McFarling wants to talk with you." Naturally a parent's first thoughts are either that my child is in serious trouble or he's hurt. (The fun part of this story is that Ronnie McFarling knows that, too!) As Ronnie takes the phone from Yates he tells me, "Just wanted to let you know that Yates made all 'A's on his report card; he's doing really well as a student." That's much better news than what a parent would expect to hear from the principal and I'm sure Ronnie gets a big kick out of messing with the minds of us parents! But I really appreciate Ronnie's willingness to take the time and energy to communicate not only the bad news of what kids do, but also the good news.

So often those of us in ministry we do a really good job of communicating to everyone how sinful we all are, that we're no good, that we deserve nothing but God's wrath and condemnation. And that's all very true! (This is also true in our view of ourselves, our Christian parenting and Christian friendships - we're quick to point out the faults and failures of ourselves and those around us.)

Read what Bryan Chapell writes on page 35 of his book "Holiness by Grace":

If we have become bogged down in a guilty depression, have begun to equate religious piety with endless despondency over our shame, or have identified honiness with unrelenting sadness, then we have not grasped the grace that marks the gospel. Grace distinguishes its possessors by their joy. The good news proclaimed in the Bible neith slights the sriousness of sin nor shades the wonders of the pardon and power God provides his people. This full gospel message must also characterize the attitudes of God's people, becasue those with whome we share Christ's living water will be affected by the springs from which we drink. If we are guilt-driven, then so will be our spouses, children, and coworkers. If we pretend to be guiltless, then we will encourage shameless behavios. However, if we exhibit joyful gratitude for the grace of God that pardons our guilt, then we will reproduce grateful spouses, children, and fellow believers who are zealous for God's purposes.

So as I thank Ronnie for taking the time to tell me the "good news" I have two points of personal application:

1. thank God for His telling me the "good news"
2. be more conscious of telling others not just about sin, but about the glorious forgiveness and grace that is the message of the Gospel

looking to tell the "good news,"
Burt