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February 2, 2010

Gospel Thoughts

The gospel is news, declaration and invitation; not a set of instructions. 

As Tim Keller says, “I am more sinful than I could dare to admit, but at the same time, because of my substitute Jesus, I am more forgiven, loved and accepted than I could ever dare to dream.” 

 

The gospel is not religion. Religion says that I am blessed because of my work and sacrifice for God.  The gospel says that I am blessed because of Jesus’ work and sacrifice for me.  Yes, I am saved by works, but not my works. I am saved by his works... the works of Jesus. 

 

Jesus received the justice for my sin so that I could receive the mercy of God.

 

The gospel tells me that I am reconciled to God not because of what I do for God, but because of what God has done for me in Jesus.

 

Reconciliation with God is not something that I achieve. It is something that I receive (through faith alone). Seriously. I receive it like a beggar must accept a gift, with no hope of repayment. 

 

It is a beggar thief being told he is now a beloved son.

 

Filed under  //   devotional   gospel   grace  

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January 26, 2010

Beware of the Goddess "Numbers"

A dear friend from Creekstone sent me a quote from A.W. Tozer this morning. For all of you church planters, and folks at Creekstone, these are wise, challenging, and I think, encouraging words:

The emphasis today in Christian circles appears to be on quantity, with a corresponding lack of emphasis on quality. Numbers, size and amount seem to be very nearly all that matters even among evangelicals. The size of the crowd, the number of converts, the size of the budget, the amount of the weekly collections: if these look good the church is prospering and the pastor is thought to be a success. The church that can show an impressive quantitative growth is frankly envied and imitated by other ambitious churches.

This is the age of the Laodiceans. The great goddess Numbers is worshiped with fervent devotion and all things religious are brought before her for examination. Her Old Testament is the financial report and her New Testament is the membership roll. To these she appeals as arbiters of all questions, the test of spiritual growth and the proof of success or failure in every Christian endeavor.

A little acquaintance with the Bible should show this up for the heresy it is. To judge anything spiritual by statistics is to judge by another than scriptural judgment. It is to admit the validity of externalism and to deny the value our Lord places upon the soul as over against the body. It is to mistake the old creation for the new and to confuse things eternal with things temporal. Yet it is being done every day by ministers, church boards and denominational leaders. And hardly anyone notices the deep and dangerous error. 

May we notice, repent and rejoice in the mustard seeds of grace that are being planted among us. Let us be thankful for them and cultivate them with care, not despising small things. After all, as Francis Schaeffer said, "There are no little people, and no little places."

Filed under  //   creekstone   devotional  

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December 30, 2009

"...as Christ Loved the Church"

Every now and then the reality sinks in of my complete failure to love my wife well. I am naturally task oriented, quite unthoughtful of others, and often completely self-absorbed with myself. Yes, I know. Why did she marry me in the first place? Well, our "dark sides" often do not manifest themselves fully until we are comfortable enough around our spouses to let the "real me" out. Then it's too late for them to turn back! : )  

Anyway, as I have reflected upon what it means to love a wife well (particularly mine), I began thinking of tasks and personality improvements/alterations that I need to make—all law changes. Then the passage that covers it all, and makes marriage counseling quite simple, hit me: "Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church, and gave himself up for her." Crud. Now it's even worse than I thought. So what now?  How about some fresh repentance (to put me in my place- the sinners seat)? How about some fresh faith in the saving work of Jesus (who took my place in the sinners seat)?  After all, I am part of that church whom Jesus loved to death. That is how well he loved me—with a gospel love. 

You know, how often have I used that expression, "I love her to death." Really?  Not yet. Well, Jesus did. And the more I can embrace that dying love for me, the more likely it will be that I will be able to love my wife well. Perfectly? I'm afraid not. But love well? By grace, I hope so. 

Filed under  //   devotional   ephesians   personal  

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