The other night one of my daughters while we were putting her to bed smelled.    It appears that, she in an effort to take control, refused to use the toilet… AND refused to clean herself up after she had the “accident.”     While this may be something you would expect from say a 2 or 3  year old…  this daughter is older.   In short She Failed to Use her Potty Training.  My wife assured me that all kids do this – and that in short it is a control thing.    Of course we took control back tossing her into the bath and such —

So what does this have to do with Faith?    - dont worry I will get there I promise:

Over on the CARM website I have been discussing with a number of folks – some who are Mormon, others who are Jehovah Witness – and some who are professing christians even -

WHAT does it take to become a Christian.

1. Repent of our sins and Trust in Jesus Christ.

So what exactly is this “Repent” thing –   is it feeling sorry for our sins?  is it changing the way we think about our sins,  is it a “Transformation” of the mind?  or is it stopping from sinning all together?…

The greek word for repentance comes from their word metanoia – its root is meta “to change ones thinking”

Paul wrote that God saves us:

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  (Titus 3:5-7) King James Version

In Romans Paul tells us that Grace is no longer grace if we have to work for it… Grace simply put is an undeserved gift.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

So how does this fit in with POOP?   

I think the issue of salvation by works is simply that – a bunch of Poop.   Will we ever be good enough to merit the grace of God based on our actions?   Based on our feelings?   Based on our ability to follow the law?

My daughter would have been content going to sleep sitting in her poopy pannies ~ she only said sorry when she was caught.

I thought this was an interesting illustration – we come to the Heavenly Father sitting in our Poo unable to get the stench of our sin off of us – and God takes us as we are because of the Propitiation of His Son – The place Christ Jesus took on the cross.     Suddenly our noses become open and we realize that we smell like poo… and we want to change.   That change – that transformation is done by the “renewing of your mind”

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2) King James Version

My daughter was only convicted because she was caught.    I am happy that my God has saved me – in spite of my blindness – even for the things I have not been caught on and don’t even realize yet.

My daughter will grow out of this phase – I hope quickly but I cannot help but imagine what God thinks about my poopy faith sometimes.