This just in from my Puritan friend, Jeremiah Burroughs (via another friend, Ray Ortlund),

“My brethren, the reason why you have not got contentment in the things of the world is not because you have not got enough of them. That is not the reason. But the reason is because they are not things proportionable to that immortal soul of yours that is capable of God himself.  Many men think that when they are troubled and have not got contentment, it is because they have but a little in the world, and if they had more then they would be content. That is just as if a man were hungry, and to satisfy his craving stomach he should gape and hold open his mouth to take in the wind, and then should think that the reason why he is not satisfied is because he has not got enough of the wind.  No, the reason is because the thing is not suitable to a craving stomach.” Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment (Edinburgh, 1964), page 91.  

Archibald Alexander, in Thoughts Concerning Religious Experience (1844):

“Why is there so little advancement made [in living the Christian life]? First, there is a defect in our belief in the freeness of divine grace. To exercise unshaken confidence in the doctrine of gratuitous pardon is one of the most difficult things in the world… Christians cannot but be lean and feeble when deprived of their proper nourishment. It is by faith that the spiritual life is made to grow; and the doctrine of free grace, without any mixture of human merit, is the only true object of [that] faith. Until preachers inculcate clearly, fully and practically, the grace of God manifested in the gospel, we shall have no vigorous growth… among professing Christians.”

Using an anology based on this helpful quote, I suppose we could say that the doctrine of free grace is the Miracle Grow of the soul.  

"People who spend their lives in the slums... suffer from underdeveloped imaginations. They wish for nothing better than that their children live in a tenement  with uncracked windows and running water and fewer rats. For a hobo, it's really living to ride in a railroad car that doesn't smell. But God's children are neither slum dwellers or hobos. We've been empowered to dream bigger  dreams than mere earthlings can imagine. In God's eyes, big houses, happy families, and comfortable bank accounts are, in themselves, nothing more than rat-free hovels and disinfected cattle cars. The finest things this world can offer have no compelling appeal to a reborn spirit. They are nothing compared to the joy of living in His presence."

Larry Crabb, Shattered Dreams, p. 134

The quote below is a blurb from Tullian Tchividjian, one of the two speakers at the spring men's conference at Perimeter Church, April 27-28. For more information and to register, just go here.

"There seems to be a fear out there that the preaching of radical grace produces serial killers. Or, to put it in more theological terms, too much emphasis on the indicatives of the gospel leads to antinomianism. My problem with this fear is that I’ve never actually met anyone who has been truly gripped by God’s amazing grace in the gospel who then doesn’t care about obeying him. As I have said before: antinomianism happens not when we think too much of grace. Just the opposite, actually. Antinomianism happens when we think too little of grace."

So it appears as if the answer to spiritual laziness and carelessness is not more law, it is more gospel, which awakens the heart to the justifying and sanctifying power of God's grace in Jesus through the cross. That was Paul's position, after all, who said, "11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good" (Titus 2:11-14).  I added the bold to make it more helpful to see the flow of Paul's thought. 

Does this mean that there is no place for the law? Absolutely not! Or as Paul says, "By no means!" The law shows us what we should do, which drives us to Jesus, who gives us the Holy Spirit in fullness. It is THEN that we are able to manifest spiritual fruit that fulfills the law—not because we have to obey, but because we want to obey and are now emowered by the Spirit to obey (and because it is downright good for us!). The problem in the sanctification discussion is not, SHOULD we grow in practical holiness, but HOW do we grow in practical holiness? By looking to the law with new commitment? Or by walking by the Spirit with gospel-faith? FYI: the answer is B.

A note in The Reformation Study Bible on Romans 6:1-14 says, “So great was [Paul’s] emphasis on the freeness of God’s grace in the face of sin that his preaching had been accused of antinomian tendencies, or ignoring the ethical requirements of the law.” He knew that his preaching of grace would lead religous folks to begin asking the inevitable question, "If we are saved by sheer grace, then why not sin so that grace can abound all the more?" Other questions that are connected include these: What motive is there for living a new life? What power is available for change, if there is one at all? Should I see or expect a change in my life after I experience the revolutionary status alteration of the gospel (a fancy way of talking about justification).

This Sunday as we enter Romans 6, we are going to deal with these inevitable questions, finding that there is an inextricable connection between what God does for us (in justification) and what God does in us(through sanctification). This is going to lead us into a greater understanding of the gospel with many practical implications such as: (1) what should "living a new life" look like, (2) why do I see so little change in my life, and (3) how can I change?

So as you can see, we are transitioning from the foundation of our new position secured for us to the power of Jesus lived through us. This is exciting, practical and helpful stuff! The main passage we'll be looking at is Romans 5:20-6:4. Read ahead if you are able so that you can come hungry for more gospel, more grace, more Jesus.

In my study today for Sunday's message, I came across a statement in The Reformation Study Bible that I found helpful for those of us entrusted with preaching and teaching. Concerning Romans 6:1-14, the study note says, “So great was [Paul’s] emphasis on the freeness of God’s grace in the face of sin that his preaching had been accused of antinomian tendencies, or ignoring the ethical requirements of the law.” In view of that statement, if my preaching does not evoke a similar charge, I may not be preaching the true gospel of free grace. What a joy, blessing and honor it would be to have even this one thing in common with the apostle. So preachers, let's seek this accusation and be glad that we finally have begun to shine enough light on the cross that our teaching becomes well distinguished from any form of religious moralism. Yet let us also not become proud of the accusations, lest we fail to show how God's work for us in justification provides the new grace-compelled motive and Spirit-fueled power for God's work in us through sanctification. After all, saving and enabling grace are both the work of God and magnify the glory of God.

Tuesday, in my study for Sunday's message, I came across a wonderful quote from Robert Haldane's 19th century commentary on Romans. He says, "Preserving the conscience free from guilt by continual application to the blood of Christ, is the main point in the believer's walk with God, and is the powerful spring of his obedience." Yes! Our focus must be on our full and free justification through Jesus. If it is, then we will see new life beginning to grow through Spirit-empowered sanctification. Haldane is a new favorite. If you want a great commentary on Romans, start with his.

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. 

Last week in a press conference, UGA football coach Mark Richt provided a rich gospel perspective on his life and vocation:

“I love the game of football. I love my job. I love Georgia. But what I do is not who I am,” Richt said. “I think sometimes if we become what we do, and then things aren’t going just right, then all of a sudden our entire world falls apart. I’ve got a faith in my Lord and savior Jesus Christ, and I know that God loves me and is going to take care of me. I just truly believe that. When all the games are done and all of life is lived, I know where I’ll be for eternity.”

He is right. What I do, whether good or bad, does not define who I am. The imputed righteousness of Jesus defines who I am. I have been graced. I am a forgiven, beloved Son of the Father. That is who I am.