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Living All of Life in View of the Cross

Filed under: grace

Wholly, Only and Always

“The most renowned and now crowned saints have, in the days of their being on earth, relapsed into one and the same sin. Lot was twice overcome with wine; Abraham did often lie, and twice lay his wife open to adultery to save his own life, which even the heathens would not have done… David in his wrath was resolved to slay Nabal and his family, but repented, and yet after this he fell into the foul murder of Uriah… Samson is by the Spirit of the Lord numbered among the worthies (Heb.11:32) yet he fell often into one gross sin. Peter you know relapsed often, and so did Jonah; and this comes to pass that they may see their own inability to stand, to resist or overcome temptations (Jude 14-16), so that they may be taken off from all false confidences, and rest wholly upon God, and only upon God, and always upon God.”
Thomas Brooks, Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices

The Movement of Grace

In The Gospel-Centered Life discipleship curriculum, the authors provide a graphic to describe the movement of grace in and through the life of a believer. We discover that grace is personal and internal. But it is also public and external. The point: grace goes somewhere. It is dynamic, not static. This is not a bad diagnostic for evaluating the gospel vitality of my heart. If there is no outflow, it is likely that the problem is with the inflow. Since gospel faith leads to gospel fruit, I should focus on the personal inworking of grace in my life before trying to manipulate the external outworking of grace. In other words, when the gospel begins to work in me, it eventually will flow through me. That is the movement, or propulsion, of grace.

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A "Now" Need Rather Than a "Then" Need

Note that what Paul says here is in the present tense, not the past. He is describing his "now" need for the gospel, not his "then" need. This is so hopeful for a sinner like me.  

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." ~ 1 Tim. 1:15-16

The Two Ways to Live

There are essentially two ways to live: under law or under grace. Look at the list below and (now be honest) decide which describes your life.

 I am living under law if:

  • I despair of my failures or I'm proud of my success
  • I focus on behavior rather than the heart - I need to look good
  • If God is more of my judge than my Father
  • I I feel condemned, not loved
  • If when I give, I give as little as possible (not generous)
  • I tend to be critical; always look for what is wrong
  • I tend to despise the poor
  • I am very opinionated - I need to be right
  • I harbor grudges and refuse to forgive; I like to get even/revenge
  • I don’t repent - rather, I make excuses, shift blame
  • I am insecure - I need to impress people and protect myself from embarrassment 
  • I am defensive and demanding
  • Those closest to me feel the law from me, not grace  

I am living under grace if:

  • I am neither despairing nor proud — Rather, I'm humble, but secure 
  • I am aware of the root sin motives that cause sinful behavior
  • I see and experience God as my Father. I a treasured son/daughter - Jesus already has been judged for me
  • I feel loved, not condemned
  • I am becoming more generous - I love to give
  • I am patient, and often more critical of my own ideas than those of others
  • I don’t need to be right or look good
  • I have compassion on the poor
  • I am approachable and repentant
  • I am glad and willing to forgive freely and fully
  • I am gracious when others fail or disappoint me
  • Those closest to me feel grace - they feel loved, appreciated

If you are like me and tend to live most of your life under law, how can we really live under grace and experience the life-changing influence and power of the gospel? It is possible. Find out this Sunday at Creekstone. :)

 

Gift Wrapping Day at Wal-Mart (Photos)

In order to show our community a practical demonstration of grace, Creekstone regulars wrapped presents for free outside of our local Wal-Mart today. It was such a joy to describe grace and turn away all donations and tips! Thanks to all who volunteered, especially to our coordinator, Rick Nielsen. 

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The End of the Struggle

I am part of a group of guys who meet on Wednesday mornings at 6:00 a.m. to study the Bible, work out the implications of the gospel into our lives, and pray for each other. Today was particularly nourishing manna for my soul. We are going through "The Gospel-Centered Life" curriculum and are in chapter 3, "Believing the Gospel," where the authors state:

"Our souls must become deeply rooted in the truth of the gospel so that we anchor our righteousness and identity in Jesus and not in ourselves. Specifically, the gospel promises of passive righteousness and adoption must become central to our thinking and living... By faith, we must cling to the gospel promise that we are adopted as God's children (and that) Jesus' righteousness has been credited to us apart from works (Rom. 4:4-8). We don't need to do anything to secure God's love and acceptance; Jesus has secured it for us."

They go on, saying:

"At the root of all our visible sins lies the invisible struggle for righteousness and identity."

That nails it for me. Just like Adam and Eve in their post-forbidden fruit eating condition, I struggle with issues of insecurity every day. I want to run and hide, too, or find some kind of fig leaf to cover up my guilt and shame. If I don't run, I will fight for my name, my righteous identity that I need to protect. But what if I no longer had any name to protect; only a name to praise?

This is possible, because in the gospel, Jesus' name is my glory, not my own. When I actively believe that, rather than run or fight, I can face the music of my sin and need, and better, hear the beautiful symphony of God's grace, where Jesus' imputed righteousness is celebrated as the end of the struggle in the fight for identity (Rom. 10:3). That is the song that I need to hear every day, lest I grow discouraged and lose hope. 

Charles Spurgeon and Sola Gratia

Charles Spurgeon was a preacher of grace in 19th century England. I don't know where I found this Spurgeon quote, but I've had it on my desk for several years, hoping that one day, after repeated exposure, the nickel will drop and I will get it. 

"If there be one stitch in the celestial garment of our righteousness which we are to insert ourselves, then we are lost."
As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:21, "He who knew no sin became sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."  The key words are "in him"—in Jesus. Self-righteousness will never do. My righteousness before God must be received as a gift of grace. In Latin, we say sola gratia. 

 

October 31 and the Re-Discovery of Grace

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On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther, at the time a Roman Catholic monk and theology professor, nailed a protest letter to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany, where he taught at the local university. The letter is known as his 95 Theses, a protest against the sale of indulgences by the Roman Catholic Church. The practice revealed the church's unbiblical theology (that people can earn credit for good works and get loved ones out of purgatory by paying for an "indulgence") and spiritual corruption (since the funds were to be gathered in order to contribute to the building of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome). The theses were bound to create a firestorm, and they did just that, sparking what we now call the Protestant Reformation (from which most all Christian denominations find their roots). 

For our purposes, it is important to recognize that October 31 was known as All Hallows Eve, the eve of the day when the church was to hallow all the dead saints. All Hallows Eve morphed into what we now call Halloween (notice how Halloween sounds like All Hallows Eve). Although death was part of the day's commemoration, it wasn't the focus. Nevertheless, we can see how the death part has attempted to overshadow the life part, since Reformation Day was the dawning of new light upon the church as the heart of the gospel was rediscovered by folks like Martin Luther.

So as we celebrate the Protestant Reformation this October 31, feel free to dress up and plunder your neighbors for loads of sugar, but don't forget the real reason for the season—the rediscovery of grace. 

FOR Us and Then IN Us

In this week's Creekstone message, I will be teaching on the role of "works" in the life of a Christian from Romans 2:6-11, which appears to put works ahead of grace. However, Ephesians 2:8-10 says, "8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." This helpful passage reveals the relationship of grace, faith and works. What we discover is that, first, God works FOR us (grace secured by Jesus). Then he works IN us (creating faith and fruit by the power of the Holy Spirit).  In other words, grace justifies and then goes on to sanctify. Therefore, our works are not the means of our salvation, but the evidence of our salvation. We are saved by the works of Jesus. With this grid we can read passages like Romans 2:6-11 in a gospel context. Okay, gotta run. Much more to come on Sunday... 
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