Why I like Google+

Google Plus has to be the finest product from the stables of Google, as of now. Their Circles feature is a breath of relief and is a game changer. While Facebook is a robust platform, the lack of an intuitive way to connect with different people was limited and hence, I was always uncomfortable connecting with people on Facebook. Aside from inviting few members from specific groups, I had never ever asked anyone to find me on Facebook. I have a wide range of interests and friends and contacts from a wide range of backgrounds. Circles helps me categorize them and connect with the individual groups. I am looking forward to see what G+ is planning to do to cater to the business crowd.

This definitely does not mean Facebook has become obsolete by any stretch. Its 750 million membership is a formidable force and it has a robust platform for businesses and groups. Over 2.5 million websites are integrated with Facebook. This healthy competition from G+ will encourage Facebook to break new grounds. But at this point, Facebook will not be playing an important role in my life.

My G+ profile is http://gplus.to/framesmedia. Let’s connect.

Son Conscious Vs Sin Conscious

I just read an article that said along the lines that the message of Grace promotes sin and that one needs to speak more about sin. While I agree with the intent of the author, I differ with him on his solution, which is to speak more of sin. 

Grace frees us from sin, not to sin. If anyone thinks that grace is a license to sin, they have not received the revelation of the message of Grace. We are saved by grace and we continue to live by grace, because if we choose to live by keeping the law, we have no choice but to keep all the laws (10 commandments plus the 614 laws), and breaking one law equals breaking all the laws. If we could be righteous by keeping the law with our own strength, then Christ died in vain.  

What needed is not sin consciousness, but Son consciousness. In other words, the knowledge of our new-creation reality in Christ. We are brand new creations in Christ Jesus. We are masterpieces in Him. We are temples of the Holy Spirit. The more we renew our mind with our new-creation reality, we will not want to sin. Who would intentionally want to stain a dazzling white shirt? "Thou shalt not sin" begets more sin because the strength of the sin is law. Sin will not have dominion over us as long as we are under grace and not law.

The branch does not struggle to bear fruit. But it bears fruit only when it abides in the Vine. This is why our life source is Christ and not our self-effort, no matter how sincere we are with our efforts.

Thou shalt be Free

Biblically speaking, we can only live either by law or by grace. Choosing to live by the law requires that one must keep all (I cannot pick and choose from the 10 commandments and the 600 plus sub commandments) the laws with absolute perfection. There isn't a slightest margin for error (James 2:10). I cannot pull the "I'm trying my best" card.

The religion comes in with blithe ignorance and proclaims that, "all you have to do is keep the law and God will smile at you" and place the sincere believer on a never-ending treadmill, when the the fact of the matter is, not one of us can score a 100 out of 100. And this is precisely why we need a Savior!

The purpose of the law (let's not forget that it was not even given to the gentiles) then, was to reveal man's inability to reach God's perfection with his self-effort. Not one action qualifies us to be in right-standing with Him. Not one action of ours qualifies us to receive His blessings. The only route through which we can receive anything from Him is by grace through faith. 

Law leaves us guilty and helpless, which in turn draws us to receive His grace and mercy. The heavy-lifting was already done by the rabbi from Nazareth. All we do is acknowledge and receive the free gift - the glorified Him. Law weighs us down while He frees us.