Religion operates on the principle "I obey - therefore I am accepted by God." But the operating principle of the gospel is "I am accepted by God through what Christ has done - therefore I obey."I love this simple explanation of the gospel.
It is so easy for me to get into the mindset that God ought to accept me and be pleased with me because of all the good things I have done. This mindset only expands if I compare myself with other people (always the worst kind of people of course), thinking how much better and more deserving I am than them. I would never say this out loud, of course. I may not even think it consciously, but the attitude can sure be there. Even my sense of self worth or value before God can be based on an image others have of me or that I have for myself. Again, this means everything is about my performance or how I look. It has everything to do with what I do and nothing to do with what God has done. Does this ever happen to you?
Yet when I am reminded of the truth of the gospel again, I get my mind and heart squared away. The truth is that I was so full of sin and darkness that JESUS HAD TO DIE FOR ME. There simply was no other way. This humbles me and makes me thankful. But then I am reminded that JESUS WAS GLAD TO DIE FOR ME. This gives me the assurance of God's loving acceptance.
That is the gospel and I have to be reminded of that regularly so I don't forget the measure of God's love and mercy for me or His acceptance of me as His son.
What do you think? Any reactions . . .
I often repeat a saying that goes like this: "Nothing you can do can get God to stop loving you, and nothing you can do can get God to love you more than he already does." Indeed, the essence of the Christian gospel is contained in that line. And a casual glance at our obedience reveals its motive: it tends to carry either a spirit of driven-ness (fueled by the fear that we will not be accepted), or it resonates an experience we have had in Christ whereby we have been deeply touched by His love.
ReplyDeleteBut what does Paul's life teach us? Ultimately, he responded to God's love by surrendering his freedom; he announced that he was a "bondservant" (doulos) for Christ. Is that not where the path of reciprocating His love will ultimately lead? What does it say about us if we choose to live "free" (and commence with defining that freedom to suit our tastes) and yet ignore the commands our Lord has given us? Obedience is commanded; but the question that matters the most is why we obey. Do we serve because we are driven to serve, or do we serve out of the joy we have found - knowing that to love Him back, we really have no other choice?
Freedom is precious, but love surrenders it. In our love relationships with people - our spouses, our kids - a measure of freedom is always sacrificed for the sake of fidelity.
Grace and peace.