The Rejuvenating Power of the Gospel: Not According to Our Works

I admit it. I thrive on recognition. For some, just being on the team is enough. For others, the team has to  win in order for them to feel satisfied. But for some of us, we need to be recognized for our winning. And let's be honest, at some level we all seek recognition. We want others to look at us and say "way to go, you were great!" This pride of accomplishment runs deep in the human heart and lies behind our desire to take credit wherever we can. And sometimes we try to take credit for things we had no hand in. My friend Sean calls this "the rooster taking credit for the dawn." There's a lot of that happening in our world, especially as politicians spin the daily news in their favor.

But there is one thing no human can ever take credit for: salvation in Christ Jesus. 

Timothy was an overwhelmed, timid, quasi-ashamed minister of the gospel in Ephesus. His fire was almost out, and his mentor Paul wrote him a letter of rejuvenation. And unlike what we might expect, Paul didn't come alongside Timothy with a compassionate call to rest, or to take a cruise, or a sabbatical. He first demands that he quit being ashamed and timid, and then directs his heart and mind back to the gospel. God is the One who has drafted him, and equipped him for every good work (see: 3:16,17). God is the One who rescued him, and has called him to a life of holiness. God has done all this, and none of it has been conditioned on Timothy's worth, or conduct, or expertise. None of it was according to his works. Timothy may be able to take credit for some things in his life and ministry, but his position in Christ isn't one of them.

Today I often hear Christ-followers try to shoe horn their works into the redemptive plan of God. "Sure God chose to save me because He knew me before I even was, and knew that I would respond to the Gospel." While this is popular, it really has no biblical support. Scripture is clear: we love God becasue he first loved us. His sovereign action, through the Spirit and the gospel, enabled our repentance and faith. Salvation is of the Lord.

But more distressing, I hear believers argue that their works of righteousness are what keep God happy, and account for the blessings they are enjoying. But this is the very thing Paul is arguing against!

It is curious that Paul would be telling Pastor Timothy that our works don't factor into God's treatment of us unless he knew that Timothy was starting to feel resentful toward God. Perhaps Timothy was mad that God wasn't rewarding him more for his deeds. Maybe he had fallen into the trap of legalism and felt God was into the "quid pro quo" way of handing out rewards. You know, the "if I do this, God has to do that" way of thinking. Perhaps you've fallen into this trap. Perhaps you think that if you read your Bible every day then God owes you good things. And if you pray daily, and sign up for a mission trip, and give a bit more money than you usually do to the church then God's goodies will become more prevalent in your life. If so, then you and Timothy both need to be reminded that our standing in Christ is sufficient, complete. God's favor to us can never be more than it already is, in Christ! Paul told the Ephesians that God had already blessed them with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) and had also given them all good things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). Here's the truth: On our very best day, when we believe we have gone above and beyond in our obedience and spiritual fervor, he still accepts us because of Christ and his righteousness. But the better news is this: on our very worst day, when temptation has had its way with us, we are still just as accepted by God because of Christ and His righteousness. This is really good news! But some folks hate this, and for two reasons.

First, it makes it appear that sinful living has no consequence, and that believers can sin with impunity. But this is only an appearance, and not reality. If we look through the lens of Scripture we find two things: One, those who are truly regenerate have the Spirit dwelling in them. The Spirit realigns our affections away from sin and toward righteousness. This means that true Christ-followers will never be satisfied with sin. We may dabble in it. We may even walk in it. But we can never live in it. And second, if we do dabble in it, and allow it to find a bit of a home in our lives, we had better look out for our father. Our God is a great father. And like every good father, God will not allow his children to stray far and tarnish the family name. He will discipline us so that we may once again be examples of holiness (see: Hebrews 12:4-11).

Secondly, people hate the idea of God's unmerited favor simply because they crave recognition. They desperately want their righteousness to get some credit. And I can certainly understand this point! I've already admitted that there is in me a natural drive to be recognized. And while this is something I have to mortify daily, it also makes me appreciate what God is really doing in the gospel. By accomplishing everything graciously, he puts me and every believer in a position of radical dependence upon Christ. And I think this is exactly what Paul wanted Timothy to understand. Timothy was fatigued, and ashamed, and seemingly backing away from the tasks and challenges of gospel ministry. He needed rest, but the right kind of rest. He needed to once again rest in the finished, and consistently applied, work of Jesus Christ on behalf of all who would every believe. He needed to recognize that, while his obedience and diligence were required, they were never the variables that mattered most in the success of the gospel. He needed to rely on the power of God, and the unalterable righteousness of Christ.

So, I know what you're thinking: doesn't our righteous living and diligent obedience matter then, in the ministry of Christ? Doesn't holy living bring about God's smile? Of course the answer to both questions is a resounding "yes it does!" Our heavenly father has called us to holiness. It pleases him, and he requires it of us. He also insists that we labor diligently as his workmanship, his samples, to bring the grace and love of Christ to our world. There is no place for couch potato Christianity! We are to run the race before us, fight the good fight, and persevere to the end. Like Paul, we are to strive mightily to accomplish the work we've been given to do (see: Colossians 1:29; Philippians 2:12,13; Hebrews 12:1-3). But we are never to think that our work is what grants us God's favor. Rather, our work is our response of love and respect for the God who has saved us and called us to holiness quite apart from any of our own works, either good or bad!


So, where are you? Has your misunderstanding of your acceptance before God put you on the performance treadmill? Are you running the race hoping to keep God on your side? Are you afraid that God's blessings on your life will only be as good as are your spiritual discipline, your obedience, and your holiness? If so, you're probably either spiritually exhausted, or already slightly disillusioned and cynical with the whole set of evangelical rules. And chances are good that you're also a bit confused given that you've been pretty lazy lately and God hasn't seemed to notice.

So, what to do? The answer is simple: come back into the garden of grace called the gospel. Look into your heart and see if you are truly trusting in the righteousness of Christ to fully satisfy God. Are you certain that your sinful record has been paid in full by Jesus Christ? Do you trust the promise of God that he has accepted both Christ's death and righteousness as though they were yours, and adopted you into his family as a true son or daughter? If so, then rest in his arms. Understand his unconditional love and forgiveness. Recognize that you've been born again to a living hope that is imperishable and reserved in heaven for you. And then feel the response of love growing in your heart as you recognize that obeying Christ, and pursuing his mission in your life is really a grand privilege as well as your very best, and most satisfying option. That is the rejuvenating power of the gospel!

Hope this helps,

David