Driving
to and from an errand today, the “car stereo” was playing an audio book by a
favorite Bible teacher 1. His teaching is so deep and methodical; it
is like a “gym-workout” for my brain. Last week, with this same audio book teaching I was lead to stop at the
public library and get the book he was teaching. Yes it is another of those books about the Book.
Many
times I can’t follow his spoken ‘thoughts’ without stopping to write down one
or two. That’s what motivated me to stop for the book. The teacher’s discussion
of religion and the gospel lit up for me. I had never seen these two words as
so very different.
I quote:
2There is then, a great gulf between the understanding that God accepts
us because of our efforts and the understanding that God accepts us because of
what Jesus has done. Religion operates on the principle “I obey--therefore I am
accepted by God.” But the operating
principle of the gospel is “I am accepted by God through what Christ has done—therefore
I obey.”
The
primary difference is that of motivation. In religion, we try to obey the
divine standards out of fear. In
the gospel, the motivation is one of gratitude for the blessing we have already
received because of Christ.
Religion with rules? Gospel
grace?
I leave you with a devotional
excerpt that recommends the best way to enjoy our Christmas! Follow the
performance instructions for the song Peace
on Earth, Played moderately, sweetly with reverence. Remember these as
we shop in crowded stores, as we run out of time, money, and energy.
He
hath shewed thee, Oh man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee,
but to do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8
Joe
Mileham
____________________________________________
1 Timothy
Keller
2 Chapter 11, The Reason for God; Belief in an Age of
Skepticism, Timothy Keller