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.
It promises to be a very busy day in the midst of a very busy week. Yesterday I began the theme of the gospel. Today I wish to continue by borrowing heavily from a post from over a year ago.
What is the gospel? It is the entire work of Christ! Amen and amen. So, why is this message not enough for many of us?
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 is the gospel? It is the entire work of Christ! Amen and amen. So, why is this message not enough for many of us?
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.
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.
Does this mean that we are completely passive in the process of growth? No, no, no.
The question is how are we active? How does the Holy Spirit work to transform?
Here is where we often miss the Christian growth boat. We buy into our cultural self-help and positive attitude ideas.
I would suggest that true Christian activity is found in applying the gospel. Are we growing in active repentance and faith? Do we daily and even more constantly remind ourselves of Christ's finished work and claim it as our own? Are we growing in dependence upon Jesus in every area of life? These are the marks and areas of authentic Christian activity.
Why is it so hard to find folks whose life is so marked by such a lifestyle and its resulting grace?
The question is how are we active? How does the Holy Spirit work to transform?
Here is where we often miss the Christian growth boat. We buy into our cultural self-help and positive attitude ideas.
I would suggest that true Christian activity is found in applying the gospel. Are we growing in active repentance and faith? Do we daily and even more constantly remind ourselves of Christ's finished work and claim it as our own? Are we growing in dependence upon Jesus in every area of life? These are the marks and areas of authentic Christian activity.
Why is it so hard to find folks 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?
What is the answer to this modern epidemic?
We must repent and believe the gospel. Our worry and concern will not change a thing. At least if it does change anything, it probably will be for the worse!
We must repent and believe the gospel. Our worry and concern will not change a thing. At least if it does change anything, it probably will be for the worse!
Lord Jesus, help us to learn how to trust. Help us to never take your finished work for granted. 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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