Renewal Means to Expand the Cross In our Lives

I want to share an insight that has transformed how I view Christian growth and renewal. It comes from Richard Lovelace's book "Dynamics of Spiritual Life" and focuses on the fact that, over time, we need to internalize more and more of the Gospel. He writes:

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 theological commitment to [the doctrine of justification], but in their day-to-day existence they rely on their sanctification for justification… 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 how 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 that quality of trust which will produce increasing sanctification as faith is active in love and gratitude.

In order for a pure and lasting work of spiritual renewal to take place within the church, multitudes within it must be led to build their lives on this foundation. This means that they must be conducted into the light of a full conscious awareness of God’s holiness, the depth of their sin, and the sufficiency of the atoning work of Christ for their acceptance with God, not just at the outset of their Christian lives but in every succeeding day. – from Richard Lovelace’s book Dynamics of Spiritual Life.

Instead of being filled with appreciation for God's grace, many people focus on their sin in an unhealthy way. This leads to guilt, fear, shame, insecurity, and despair.

On the other end of the spectrum, others don't fully appreciate how holy God is. They try to perform, focusing on religion, moralism, legalism, and self-justification.

Only a true understanding of the finished work of Jesus can save us from both legalism and shame.

Much, much more can be written on this, but today I wanted to share this paradigm with you. May we all stop striving and end our groveling. Instead, may we have the confidence that Christ is in us, and that we are fully, unconditionally accepted.

With you;

Pastor Tim