Coffee with God! Que rico!

Sunday morning coffee with God...I love it!  I love getting up early on Sunday, having my shower and then settling in with a good cup of Guatemalan coffee and the Word.  It is often at these times when I hear the Lord clearly and feel truly ministered to. 
My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers, is a devotional book that I was first introduced to about 15 years ago.  There was a series of CDs by the same name that all focussed on worshipping the Lord with our lives.  Everynow and then, I change up my morning Bible study by adding a devotional book.  About a week ago, I re-added Oswald to my mornings.  Good choice! 
Sometimes when I read the Word, I don't fully understand the purpose behind what is being said.  That is when I really appreciate a "great thinker" like Oswald Chambers. 
This morning I was reading out of 2 Corinthians 5 - I think one of my all time favourite passages of Scripture.  It is in fact in this passage that Rocky and I received our call and reason for being in Guatemala...for Christ's love compels us! 
Today, although, the focus of my reading was on the very last verse, God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.  Now there is a mouthful!
Here is part of Oswald Chambers reflection that really struck home, although:  Sin is a fundamental relationship; it is not wrong doing, it is wrong being, deliberate and emphatic independence of God.  The Christian religion bases everything on the positive, radical nature of sin.  Other religions deal with sins; the Bible alone deals with sin. 
As I read that and let it sink in, suddenly things came into focus.  At home, in Canada, many people are involved in "doing good works" and are essentially "good people."  Some, in fact, are better people (more caring, loving, forgiving, accepting, generous) than I am, yet they will not enter Heaven.  Why?  Because of their wrong doing?  No!  Because of their wrong being!  The challenge for unbelievers in Canadian culture is the giving up of their emphatic independence of God.  They want to remain in control, and so they reject their need of a Saviour.   
Our work here is among a people steeped in ancient beliefs and superstitions.  Contrary to Canada, if you asked anyone here on the street if they believed in God, they'd say, "Yes!"  Sadly, although, their concept of one, true, living God, salvation, forgiveness and grace is twisted.  They try as hard as they can to do the right things in hopes of attaining "salvation" but they lack the assurance that can come from Christ alone. 
This problem even extends to the evengelical church.  It is a challenge to find a church here where the concept of authority is not abused and where grace abounds.  Often when someone within the church "sins" (and that can be defined however the leadership wants to define it), they are often dealt with harshly and without grace.  They are "disciplined" publically and must go through a process to be restored.  It is as though they are still operating under the concept of "doing" and not "being."
This morning's reading for me was a good reminder of what our call as believers really is - to share with the lost that it is all about the redemptive work of Christ on the cross and not one of us is worthy to receive this new identity, no matter how good we look on the outside or how many good things we do!  God sees our hearts, our motives, and desires to transform us into new creatures so we can be a part of His Kingdom!  Wow!