The remedy for our sin, whether scandalous or acceptable, is the gospel in its widest scope. The gospel is actually a message: here I am using the word gospel as a shorthand expression for the entire work of Christ in His historic life, death, and resurrection for us, and His present work in us through the Holy Spirit. When I say the gospel in its widest scope, I am referring to the fact that Christ, in His work for us and in us, saves us not only from the penalty of sin, but also from its dominion or reigning power in our lives. This twofold aspect of Christ's great work is beautifully captured in Augustus Toplady's great hymn "Rock of Ages," with the words,
Let the water and the blood,
From thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Cleanse me from its guilt and power.
Jerry Bridges, Respectable Sins, 33.
What a wonderful summary of the Gospel's content and action. Bridges has been writing on this theme for almost thirty years. In Respectable Sins, he is dealing with those sins that we as Christians often live with as acceptable and normal. What sins might these be? He argues that they are the modern expressions of those sins mentioned in scripture such as anxiety and frustration, discontent, unthankfulness, impatience and irritability, judgmentalism, and a lack of self-control. I have not finished the book, but it has been good so far!
What particularly strikes me today is how the gospel is Christ-centered and Christ-focused. The gospel is secure and powerful because Christ's work was finished and perfected with His resurrection. There is absolutely nothing we can do to add to His finished work!
Yet, how many of us live our Christian life as if His finished work is not enough? In our mind, we affirm He is the answer, but in our real life, we labor to fix ourselves and our circumstances. Somehow we have not learned how to appropriate His finished work into our life.
I know some will argue that our labor to fix ourselves and our circumstances flows from "His present work in us through the Holy Spirit." If we are walking in active repentance and faith, I would agree. If we constantly remind ourselves of Christ's finished work and claim it as our own, I completely agree. I just wonder how many of us really live in such dependence? Why is it so hard to find someone whose life is so marked by such a lifestyle and its resulting grace?
I know all too often my life is marked more by worry and anxiety than repentance, rest, quietness and trust (Isaiah 30:15). How can I tell? My inner dialogue runs through my concerns, questions, fears, and doubts more than it turns to constant reflection upon the beauty and grace of Christ. The irony is that people often tell me that I am marked less with worry and anxiety than most! Am I just good at hiding it or is this an epidemic among modern folks?
As I continue to travel west, I know what I must do. Even with the busyness of daily re-packing and driving 500 miles, even with my fear and concern that no one has purchased my home, even with my constant wondering about the health of my coming child, I must repent and believe the gospel. My worry and concern will not change a thing. Yet, I know the One who can change all things. I know the One who loves me and who is working for my good. I know the source of all power and might.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on me a sinner. Have mercy on us a people who are often marked more by unbelief than by repentance and rest!
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,
"In repentance and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust shall be your strength."
Isaiah 30:15
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