{"id":34,"date":"2025-10-12T22:10:48","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T05:10:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onlychristy.com\/?p=34"},"modified":"2025-10-17T17:23:26","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T00:23:26","slug":"grace-over-religion-what-my-theology-is-really-about","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onlychristy.com\/?p=34","title":{"rendered":"Grace Over Religion: What My Theology Is Really About"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\ud83d\udc8c Question:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hi Christy,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019d love to chat with you as I am so curious to learn about your theology and how you are doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2764\ufe0f Pastor Christy\u2019s Response:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hi there, friend \u2014 first, thank you for asking such a kind and honest question. You\u2019d be surprised how many people message me with curiosity but also a little fear, like they\u2019re tip-toeing through a theological minefield wondering if lightning might strike mid-email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spoiler alert: it won\u2019t. Not on my watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, I get this question a lot because people are curious: What exactly does Pastor Christy believe?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do I still believe in Jesus?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do I still read the Bible?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Am I still standing on the same gospel truth I once preached from the pulpit?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The short answer: Yes. Absolutely. Maybe even more now than ever before.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s talk about what that means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u271d\ufe0f A Relationship, Not a Religion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve come to realize that what Jesus offered wasn\u2019t religion \u2014 it was relationship.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Religion says, \u201cYou have to do better.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus says, \u201cCome to Me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Matthew 11:28, He says, \u201cCome to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not, \u201cCome to me when you\u2019ve cleaned up your mess.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not, \u201cCome to me after you\u2019ve quit every bad habit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just \u2014 come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s what my theology is rooted in: grace<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grace that doesn\u2019t excuse sin but embraces sinners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grace that doesn\u2019t ignore truth but delivers it gently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grace that calls you higher but still holds you close when you stumble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd4a\ufe0f Who God Is<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s start at the beginning. I believe in one God \u2014 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit<\/strong> \u2014 who created all things, loves all people, and revealed Himself perfectly through Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deuteronomy 6:4 says, \u201cHear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s my foundation. Everything I believe about faith, forgiveness, and freedom begins with knowing that God is not three competing voices \u2014 He\u2019s one heartbeat of love expressed through three persons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\ude4c Jesus Christ \u2014 Fully God, Fully Human<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe Jesus is the Son of God \u2014 fully divine, fully human. He lived without sin, died to take ours, and rose again to give us life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 Corinthians 15:3\u20134 says, \u201cChrist died for our sins according to the Scriptures\u2026 He was buried, and He was raised on the third day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To me, that\u2019s not just theology \u2014 that\u2019s personal. It means I don\u2019t have to perform for love or earn forgiveness. The cross already settled it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc9d Salvation by Grace<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ephesians 2:8\u20139 says, \u201cIt is by grace you have been saved, through faith \u2014 and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, salvation isn\u2019t a paycheck you earn. It\u2019s a present you unwrap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that present doesn\u2019t come with a receipt for returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we receive Jesus, He clothes us in His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He doesn\u2019t just wipe our slate clean \u2014 He gives us a brand-new one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the heartbeat of our church: we are grace-driven, not guilt-driven.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd04 Repentance: Turning Toward, Not Running From<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For years, I thought repentance meant crying at an altar, begging for forgiveness, and promising God I\u2019d never mess up again. But repentance isn\u2019t about perfection \u2014 it\u2019s about redirection<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acts 3:19 says, \u201cRepent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The word repent<\/em> in Greek is metanoia<\/em>, which means \u201cto change your mind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Repentance isn\u2019t about listing every sin or living in fear of losing grace \u2014 it\u2019s about changing your mind from unbelief to belief<\/strong>, from guilt to grace, from striving to resting in what Jesus already finished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you repent, you\u2019re not turning from<\/em> sin to earn God\u2019s love \u2014 you\u2019re turning to<\/em> Jesus because you\u2019ve finally realized He\u2019s the only source of real life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not about running from hell \u2014 it\u2019s about running into His arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re not repenting to become forgiven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re repenting because<\/strong> you already are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd25 The Holy Spirit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Holy Spirit isn\u2019t spooky \u2014 He\u2019s a helper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019s not Casper the Friendly Ghost; He\u2019s Comforter, Counselor, and Coach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John 14:26 says, \u201cThe Advocate, the Holy Spirit, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every time you sense that nudge in your heart \u2014 that\u2019s Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every time you feel convicted but not condemned \u2014 that\u2019s Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every time peace shows up in chaos \u2014 that\u2019s Him, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcd6 The Bible<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, I still believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the more I read it, the more I see it\u2019s not a list of rules \u2014 it\u2019s a love letter<\/strong> from a Father to His children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 Timothy 3:16 says, \u201cAll Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, correcting, and training in righteousness.\u201d But notice \u2014 it doesn\u2019t say condemning.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The purpose of Scripture isn\u2019t to shame us into obedience; it\u2019s to reveal Jesus<\/strong>, who fulfilled the law on our behalf and now lives His righteousness through us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bible was never meant to make you feel small \u2014 it\u2019s meant to remind you that you are deeply loved, fully forgiven, and already accepted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grace doesn\u2019t ignore truth; it empowers<\/strong> you to live from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2696\ufe0f Freedom and Conscience<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Romans 14.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s the \u201cmind your own spiritual business\u201d chapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul basically says, \u201cEach of you stands before God on your own convictions. Stop judging each other over personal choices.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We believe that \u2014 deeply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are called to love one another, respect differences, and trust the Holy Spirit to do His job in people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not our job to be the Holy Spirit\u2019s assistant \u2014 He\u2019s doing fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc92 Grace-Driven Community<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Living Faith Church isn\u2019t perfect \u2014 and neither are we.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We don\u2019t excuse sin, but we don\u2019t shame sinners either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Romans 8:1 says, \u201cThere is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We believe transformation doesn\u2019t come from fear; it comes from love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can\u2019t guilt people into godliness. You can only love them into life change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udf0d The Church and the Kingdom<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe the Church isn\u2019t a building \u2014 it\u2019s a body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A group of imperfect people with a perfect Savior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We gather to worship, grow, and go out to make a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew 28:19 says, \u201cGo and make disciples of all nations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And while we wait for Jesus to return and fully restore His Kingdom, we live as His ambassadors \u2014 bringing heaven\u2019s hope into a hurting world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udca6 Baptism and Communion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baptism is our public declaration that we belong to Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communion is our private reminder that He belongs with us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every time we take communion, we remember His sacrifice, His victory, and the grace that holds us together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udf05 How I\u2019m Doing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You asked how I\u2019m doing \u2014 I\u2019ll be honest, I\u2019m doing good but growing.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Life hasn\u2019t been easy, but grace has been enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve learned that ministry doesn\u2019t stop when your title changes \u2014 it just changes form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I still preach, just not always behind a pulpit. Sometimes it\u2019s through a blog, a video, or a conversation like this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every day I remind myself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God\u2019s not finished with me \u2014 and He\u2019s not finished with you either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Philippians 1:6 says, \u201cHe who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That means even when you feel like a mess, God\u2019s still making something beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friend, if there\u2019s one thing I want you to take away from this, it\u2019s this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grace works where judgment fails.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

God\u2019s not waiting for you to be perfect \u2014 He\u2019s waiting for you to be honest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019s not scared of your questions, your doubts, or your story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He already knows it \u2014 and He still loves you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if you have questions about faith, theology, or just navigating life as a Christian in a crazy world, I\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcec Email me at:<\/strong> info@funnyChristy.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subject line:<\/strong> Question for Pastor Christy<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And as always \u2014 whether you love me or love to hate me, you\u2019re still my Lover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Jesus loves you \u2014 unconditionally \u2014 and so do I. \ud83d\udc96<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hi Christy,<\/p>\n

I\u2019d love to chat with you as I am so curious to learn about your theology and how you are doing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":35,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pastor-christy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/onlychristy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/onlychristy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/onlychristy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onlychristy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onlychristy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=34"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/onlychristy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onlychristy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/35"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/onlychristy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=34"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onlychristy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=34"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onlychristy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=34"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}