#28: On grace, failure, and freedom with Tullian Tchividjian.

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Perhaps the unsung attribute of God — the one we all take for granted — is his long-suffering. His patience. God suffers sinners to painstakingly fumble over their sanctification time and time again, never choosing to scrap it all and start over, but to persistently, stubbornly love them. More often than not, we push our Father to brink by our continue deviance. But the resounding truth of the gospel is that he’s never once thought of casting us off. In fact, nothing we do will ever tempt God to leave us or forsake us. No, not even abject failure. Such is what Tullian and I discuss in today’s edition of Ministry Minded.

In this show, I’m joined by writer and speaker, Tullian Tchividjian. Once the lead pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and director of the popular online ministry, Liberate.org — this all before his very public moral failing — he now ministers through writing on the west coast of southern Florida. His fall from grace — something he describes as “a season of self-destruction” — is a reminder to us all of the fragility of human platforms and the futility of trusting in ourselves. His story is a sermon to me, preaching both the unflinching consequences of the law and the incalculable nature of God’s grace in saving sinners.

The truth of God’s stubborn grace for mess-ups, is the surprising, scandalous truth of the gospel that must continue to be recovered. I was so uplifted by this conversation and I pray you will be as well.

Resources.

One Way Love, Tullian Tchividjian

Jesus + Nothing = Everything, Tullian Tchividjian

Surprised by Grace, Tullian Tchividjian

Glorious Ruin, Tullian Tchividjian

It Is Finished, Tullian Tchividjian

All Is Grace: A Ragamuffin Memoir, Brennan Manning

Grace in Practice: A Theology of Everyday Life, Paul Zahl

Night Driving: Notes from a Prodigal Soul, Chad Bird

Grace: So Much More Than You Know and So Much Better Than You Think, Brad J. Gray

Sponsor.

This episode is brought to you by the Christian Standard Bible. Find out more by going to CSBible.com.

Notes.

Tullian currently lives in Fort Meyers, Florida with his wife Stacie. There, they attend Living Faith Church. He also writes regularly on his blog, Tullian.net — the mission, of which, is to help broken people encounter God’s boundless love. You can also follow Tullian on Twitter, @tulliant.

Credits.

Intro music: “West Coast” by Ryan Little, licensed under CC BY 4.0.