"Only a fraction of the present body of professing Christians are solidly appropriating the justifying work of Christ in their lives. Many have so light an apprehension of God's holiness and of the extent and guilt of their sin that consciously they see little need for justification, although below the surface of their lives, they are deeply guilt-ridden and insecure. Many others have a theoretical commitment to this doctrine, but in their day-to-day existence they rely on their sanctification for justification, in the Augustinian manner, drawing their assurance of acceptance with God from their sincerity, their past experience of conversion, their recent religious performance or the relative infrequency of their conscious, willful disobedience. Few know enough to start each day with a thoroughgoing stand upon Luther's platform: you are accepted, looking outward in faith and claiming the wholly alien righteousness of Christ as the only ground for acceptance, relaxing in the quality of trust which will produce increasing sanctification as faith is active in love and gratitude."
Richard Lovelace, Dynamics of Spiritual Life, 101.
In my humble opinion, this is one of the most important passages written in the last century. It is not a new idea, but it is an often forgotten idea. It was written in the late 1970s by a man I had the privilege to study under early in my academic career.
Unfortunately, in recent years much of the scholarly literature concerning the gospel has undermined Luther's re-discovery of the basis for authentic spirituality. It has moved from being accepted to emphasizing our faithfulness as central in our relationship with God. While I think this theological move is rife with error on a number of fronts, such an emphasis is deadly when engaging in the process of spiritual growth.
Why?
Unfortunately, in recent years much of the scholarly literature concerning the gospel has undermined Luther's re-discovery of the basis for authentic spirituality. It has moved from being accepted to emphasizing our faithfulness as central in our relationship with God. While I think this theological move is rife with error on a number of fronts, such an emphasis is deadly when engaging in the process of spiritual growth.
Why?
Our modern emphasis on our faithfulness dooms Christianity to be a religion for the strong- those who can get their act together through their will-power. Such a theological move makes spirituality shallow, and it denies hope to those who are not smart enough or strong enough to make surface changes. In a brief paragraph, Lovelace diagnoses the symptoms of shallow spirituality, and he describes the basis of true spirituality.
What is authentic spirituality?
What is authentic spirituality?
It is an understanding that there is only one God, and this God is perfectly holy. Many of us do not understand the true holiness of God. We have made God in our image instead of letting His image challenge and confront our sin. Thus, we believe that surface changes are all that is needed to be "right with God."
What is needed is a heart transformation not just surface changes! Because we cannot change our heart, we feel guilt-ridden and insecure. Instead of understanding the real issue of our heart, we blame others or events for our condition instead of confessing our need for God. At other times, we profess belief in God’s work in Christ, but we judge our relationship with God by how well we are doing. Again, we feel guilt-ridden and insecure, but what can we do about it?
What is needed is a heart transformation not just surface changes! Because we cannot change our heart, we feel guilt-ridden and insecure. Instead of understanding the real issue of our heart, we blame others or events for our condition instead of confessing our need for God. At other times, we profess belief in God’s work in Christ, but we judge our relationship with God by how well we are doing. Again, we feel guilt-ridden and insecure, but what can we do about it?
Luther's answer is simple yet profound. He consistently encourages us to believe the gospel. The gospel is not just a ticket to heaven, but a way of daily life. God does not just accept me, but He loves me! Why? Because of Jesus: His perfection and life have been given to me. My righteousness comes wholly from Him.
From this point the entirety of Luther's and Protestant spirituality makes a consistent refrain: take time to remember and believe the gospel! This is Paul's encouragement in Ephesians 6:10-20 when he directly discusses spiritual warfare,
We often want something deeper, but what is deeper than the gospel? Pray. Read the Word of God. Confess your sins and needs. Repent of your self-effort and lack of faith. Ask for grace to love others. Make all these activities Gospel-centered. Repeat daily.
As this truth moves from our heart to our head, we are ready to engage in the battle against our flesh, the world, and the devil. If and when we lose this foundation, we must get it back! Without such firm footing, we are easy targets for the devil's schemes. We do not have the personal strength to defeat the temptations toward self-centered unbelief and the resulting condemnation that we hear from failing.
May we cling to the hope and power of Christ's finished work.
We often want something deeper, but what is deeper than the gospel? Pray. Read the Word of God. Confess your sins and needs. Repent of your self-effort and lack of faith. Ask for grace to love others. Make all these activities Gospel-centered. Repeat daily.
As this truth moves from our heart to our head, we are ready to engage in the battle against our flesh, the world, and the devil. If and when we lose this foundation, we must get it back! Without such firm footing, we are easy targets for the devil's schemes. We do not have the personal strength to defeat the temptations toward self-centered unbelief and the resulting condemnation that we hear from failing.
May we cling to the hope and power of Christ's finished work.
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