Justin Harlan Smith

Jesus follower, husband, dad, coffee drinker. Planting New City Church in Austin, Texas in 2023

[Justin Harlan Smith @_justinhsmith_]

Stop saying “God can’t be in the presence of sin.”

It’s you, the sinner, who can’t be in the presence of a holy God. But God made a way by coming and dwelling with the sinners, and then making us holy so we can dwell with him.

[Justin Harlan Smith @_justinhsmith_]

“His throne was a cross. His crown was made of thorns. His regalia were the wounds that pierced His body.”

-@JustinWelby
The Archbishop of Canterbury

[Justin Harlan Smith @_justinhsmith_]

It’s hard to be more like Jesus than when you’re showing hospitality to your neighbor. So many people are wondering how they can make an impact. Let me point you to your greatest tool for changing the world—it’s your table.

[Justin Harlan Smith @_justinhsmith_]

No, God is not disappointed in you. He’s disappointed for you.

He wants more for you than you want for yourself.

Trust him.

[Justin Harlan Smith @_justinhsmith_]

He invited his followers to join in.

[Justin Harlan Smith @_justinhsmith_]

It’s the Tuesday after Easter and Jesus is still alive.

A few things Jesus did in the first days after his resurrection…

[Justin Harlan Smith @_justinhsmith_]

He opened the Scriptures to show his followers what God was doing in the world.

[Justin Harlan Smith @_justinhsmith_]

Whether you believe or not, there have never been more significant words spoken for your life or for the world than, “He is risen.”

[Justin Harlan Smith @_justinhsmith_]

Rome thought they executed an insurrectionist. But they enthroned the King.

Satan thought he killed the Son of God. But he opened the door for all to become sons of God.

They thought they brought the end in death. But they made death the beginning of new life.

[Justin Harlan Smith @_justinhsmith_]

But my heart is to help those who haven’t deconstructed understand how it happens. The church is to blame. But we’d be kidding ourselves if we didn’t also acknowledge that so is the deconstructionist. Look inward, take ownership of your faith and growth. Jesus is worth it.

[Justin Harlan Smith @_justinhsmith_]

8 ways to set yourself up for deconstruction:

1. Don’t explore the theological diversity within orthodox Christianity. Only read people from one tribe and avoid critical thinking or theological challenge. (This seems like it would protect you, but it will come back to bite you)

[Justin Harlan Smith @_justinhsmith_]

And now for a pastoral word: I’m not blaming victims here. I have real friends who have deconstructed their faith because of real pain. I myself went through a period of deconstruction in college before we used that term for it. And I know tweets can sound harsh.