The Reformers – whether following Calvin or Luther – were unanimous in saying that one’s blessedness is the unmerited gift of God. That is, true righteousness comes through faith alone in Christ alone. It’s not the result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:9)
So far, so good. However, sometimes this confession of God’s grace is turned into an excuse for persisting in sin. It’s believed (quite wrongly) that one can receive the Spirit of Christ and go on living just like before. It’s as if the living Spirit of Christ makes no real difference, and that He can be called one's Lord even as false gods continue to be the true lord of one’s soul.
For all the good of the Protestant confession, this potential for distortion is a major weakness. However, in the past week I’ve come across the following two quotes – one from Calvin, one from Luther – which make it clear that the Reformers had no desire to support some sort of dead faith without works:
“It is indeed true, that we are justified in Christ through the mercy of God alone; but it is equally true and certain, that all who are justified are called by the Lord, that they may live worthy of their vocation. Let then the faithful learn to embrace him, not only for justification, but also for sanctification, as he has been given to us for both these purposes, lest they rend him asunder by their mutilated faith.” John Calvin
“There is no justification without sanctification, no forgiveness without renewal of life, no real faith from which the fruits of new obedience do not grow.” Martin Luther
Who would have guessed that neither Calvin nor Luther was an advocate for a merely forensic justification? Even if forensic justification might momentarily make us feel good about ourselves – “No matter how I live, God thinks I’m great!” – the fact that it makes no real difference in our lives goes to show that it’s a mockery of God’s grace. The real Jesus is alive, and his Spirit reigns in those who truly believe. When we're tempted to believe otherwise, we would do well to read (and we would do better to believe) Galatians 6:7-9:
“Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.”
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Who's the Good Samaritan?
I’ve always read the parable of the Good Samaritan (in Luke 10:25-37) as an example of how we ought to live. That is, I’ve always read it as God telling us to look after the well-being of the down-and-out – regardless of the burden it puts on us, regardless of the future cost, and regardless of whether it jeopardizes our reputation or social standing.
I don’t think that way of reading the parable is wrong. After all, Jesus concludes it with, “Go and do likewise.” Nonetheless, I think there’s a hidden depth to the parable that’s too easily overlooked. It might seem like a stretch, but here goes nothing…
Jesus is the Good Samaritan, and we’re the man who made the mistake of leaving Jerusalem – the Jerusalem above, that is. (Galatians 4:26) Because of that mistake, we “fell into the hands of robbers” and we were left “half dead”. And yet Jesus is the Good Samaritan who draws near to the wounded man (us!) and is “moved with pity.” He bandages the wounds and brings the man to an inn (the Church!) where the care and restoration of the man's soul continues. The Good Samaritan named Jesus leaves, but puts the continued healing of the man into the hands of an innkeeper (a pastor!).
Then Jesus promises the innkeeper that he’ll come back and repay whatever costs are incurred. Something tells me that both the innkeeper and the now-healing man will be overjoyed on the Day of Jesus’ return. In the meantime, they live in the hope of Jesus’ promise. Of course, the man who has received the care of the original Good Samaritan (Jesus) and whose rehab continues at the inn (the Church) is not just a patient waiting for his Physician’s return. Even as his soul continues to be healed at the inn, Jesus gives him a task: “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37)
Jesus’ commandment can’t be ignored, lest the man lose his place at the inn and become like those who passed him by as he lay dying. “Go and do likewise.” That is, love your neighbor – regardless of the burden or cost. Love your neighbor – not just when you find him loveable but when you find him period. After all, God loves the wounded man not because the man is loveable, but because God is love.
A stretch? I don’t believe so. Ultimately, the parable of the Good Samaritan is the Christian life in a nutshell. It is wholly dependent on the Good Samaritan named Jesus, and on the inn called the Church. The restoration of the wounded man continues, even as he now cares for his neighbor in the same manner that the Physician and the innkeeper continue to care for him.
I don’t think that way of reading the parable is wrong. After all, Jesus concludes it with, “Go and do likewise.” Nonetheless, I think there’s a hidden depth to the parable that’s too easily overlooked. It might seem like a stretch, but here goes nothing…
Jesus is the Good Samaritan, and we’re the man who made the mistake of leaving Jerusalem – the Jerusalem above, that is. (Galatians 4:26) Because of that mistake, we “fell into the hands of robbers” and we were left “half dead”. And yet Jesus is the Good Samaritan who draws near to the wounded man (us!) and is “moved with pity.” He bandages the wounds and brings the man to an inn (the Church!) where the care and restoration of the man's soul continues. The Good Samaritan named Jesus leaves, but puts the continued healing of the man into the hands of an innkeeper (a pastor!).
Then Jesus promises the innkeeper that he’ll come back and repay whatever costs are incurred. Something tells me that both the innkeeper and the now-healing man will be overjoyed on the Day of Jesus’ return. In the meantime, they live in the hope of Jesus’ promise. Of course, the man who has received the care of the original Good Samaritan (Jesus) and whose rehab continues at the inn (the Church) is not just a patient waiting for his Physician’s return. Even as his soul continues to be healed at the inn, Jesus gives him a task: “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37)
Jesus’ commandment can’t be ignored, lest the man lose his place at the inn and become like those who passed him by as he lay dying. “Go and do likewise.” That is, love your neighbor – regardless of the burden or cost. Love your neighbor – not just when you find him loveable but when you find him period. After all, God loves the wounded man not because the man is loveable, but because God is love.
A stretch? I don’t believe so. Ultimately, the parable of the Good Samaritan is the Christian life in a nutshell. It is wholly dependent on the Good Samaritan named Jesus, and on the inn called the Church. The restoration of the wounded man continues, even as he now cares for his neighbor in the same manner that the Physician and the innkeeper continue to care for him.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Twelve Resolutions
I mentioned in my previous post that I've been on a Jonathan Edwards "binge". Well, let the fun continue. Recently I came across his seventy "resolutions" and - partly out of admiration, partly for the sake of my own edification - I've decided to write twelve of my own. (Maybe I'll match Edwards' seventy someday, but for now twelve will do.) I'll use Edwards' preface:
"Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ's sake."
1. Resolved, not to chase after vanities (especially intellectual vainglory or pride of reputation), but rather to live humbly and without pretense. Resolved, whenever I am tempted with worldliness, to cling to these words: “Friendship with the world is enmity with God.” (James 4:4)
2. Resolved, not to worry about food, drink, clothing, or the other necessities of life, but rather to pray, work, and gratefully receive these things as Providence would give them. (Matthew 6:25) Further resolved, to make Jesus’ words my own: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me.” (John 4:34)
3. Resolved, to honor those in authority over me, even when they seem unreasonable or unfair. Also resolved, to honor my father and my mother in (1) how I represent them and (2) how I treat them. And lastly, resolved, to make the apostles’ words my own: “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)
4. Resolved, to be a good friend by laying down my life for others. (John 15:13) Also resolved, to do this without melancholy or resentment, but with joy and thanksgiving – knowing that I am thereby participating in the love of Christ. Therefore, resolved, to present myself as a living sacrifice – this is my spiritual worship. (Romans 12:1)
5. Resolved, to care for the least of these. (Matthew 25:40) Resolved, that is, to comfort the downcast, care for the poor, befriend the lonely, and seek diligently for those in need of charity.
6. Resolved, to be a peacemaker, sowing seeds not of discord but of charity and mercy. (Matthew 5:9) Further resolved, to hold my tongue when I am tempted to gossip or backbite.
7. Resolve, to let my “yes” be “yes” and my “no” be “no”, speaking with truthfulness, simplicity, and humility. (Matthew 5:37) Further resolved, to let my speech be seasoned with salt. (Colossians 4:6) Resolved, that is, to speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15)
8. Resolved, to pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Resolved, to live in prayerful conversation with my Lord, asking him for direction in matters both small and great. Further resolved, to devote myself daily to morning, afternoon, and evening prayer.
9. Resolved, to treat Holy Scripture as “the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.” (2 Timothy 3:15) Therefore, resolved, to read Holy Scripture with a meditative spirit and a docile heart so that the Holy Spirit may be my teacher.
10. Resolved, never to do something I would not do if my life were being demanded of me this very night. (Luke 12:20) Resolved, never to do something I am doubtful God would approve, “for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23)
11. Resolved, to mortify self-love by fasting at least one day per month, dedicating the day to prayer and almsgiving. Further resolved, to do this in secret, not for the sake of outward appearance or show. (Matthew 6)
12. Ultimately and in all things, resolved, to let myself humbly suffer and die with Christ so that I may rise with Him into new and everlasting life – for the glory of God our Father. Resolved, that is, to make these words my own: “I want to know him and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:10-11)
"Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ's sake."
1. Resolved, not to chase after vanities (especially intellectual vainglory or pride of reputation), but rather to live humbly and without pretense. Resolved, whenever I am tempted with worldliness, to cling to these words: “Friendship with the world is enmity with God.” (James 4:4)
2. Resolved, not to worry about food, drink, clothing, or the other necessities of life, but rather to pray, work, and gratefully receive these things as Providence would give them. (Matthew 6:25) Further resolved, to make Jesus’ words my own: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me.” (John 4:34)
3. Resolved, to honor those in authority over me, even when they seem unreasonable or unfair. Also resolved, to honor my father and my mother in (1) how I represent them and (2) how I treat them. And lastly, resolved, to make the apostles’ words my own: “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)
4. Resolved, to be a good friend by laying down my life for others. (John 15:13) Also resolved, to do this without melancholy or resentment, but with joy and thanksgiving – knowing that I am thereby participating in the love of Christ. Therefore, resolved, to present myself as a living sacrifice – this is my spiritual worship. (Romans 12:1)
5. Resolved, to care for the least of these. (Matthew 25:40) Resolved, that is, to comfort the downcast, care for the poor, befriend the lonely, and seek diligently for those in need of charity.
6. Resolved, to be a peacemaker, sowing seeds not of discord but of charity and mercy. (Matthew 5:9) Further resolved, to hold my tongue when I am tempted to gossip or backbite.
7. Resolve, to let my “yes” be “yes” and my “no” be “no”, speaking with truthfulness, simplicity, and humility. (Matthew 5:37) Further resolved, to let my speech be seasoned with salt. (Colossians 4:6) Resolved, that is, to speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15)
8. Resolved, to pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Resolved, to live in prayerful conversation with my Lord, asking him for direction in matters both small and great. Further resolved, to devote myself daily to morning, afternoon, and evening prayer.
9. Resolved, to treat Holy Scripture as “the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.” (2 Timothy 3:15) Therefore, resolved, to read Holy Scripture with a meditative spirit and a docile heart so that the Holy Spirit may be my teacher.
10. Resolved, never to do something I would not do if my life were being demanded of me this very night. (Luke 12:20) Resolved, never to do something I am doubtful God would approve, “for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23)
11. Resolved, to mortify self-love by fasting at least one day per month, dedicating the day to prayer and almsgiving. Further resolved, to do this in secret, not for the sake of outward appearance or show. (Matthew 6)
12. Ultimately and in all things, resolved, to let myself humbly suffer and die with Christ so that I may rise with Him into new and everlasting life – for the glory of God our Father. Resolved, that is, to make these words my own: “I want to know him and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:10-11)
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