Putting on the other shoe

I am currently reading the book, Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges.

In yesterday's post, I hit on the idea that the gospel is not a message about "if you just ask Jesus into your heart, you can go to heaven."  But the other shoe in that pair must also be addressed. The gospel is also more than "do better, try harder, and maybe when God weighs your deeds at the eternal roll-call, you fill have enough goodness to make it through.

Bridges begins chapter 1 by talking about the word, "saints." I think when most of us hear this word, we think of someone who, by virtue of multiple noble actions, has achieved a status beyond the normal person, sometimes referred to as a godly person. The Catholic church gives the title to those who have done just that. But in 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses the Corinthians as saints. Now if you get to reading the text, you can clearly see that these people were not more noble than most. In fact, they had quite a few flaws within their character. Bridges states, The answer lies in the meaning of the word as it is used in the Bible. The Greek word for saint is hagios, and it refers not to one’s character but to a state of being. Its literal meaning is “one who is separated unto God.” (Bridges, Jerry. Respectable Sins (p. 2). NavPress. Kindle Edition.) So in Biblical usage, a saint is not defined by a person's character or behavior, but rather by their status as someone whom Christ has brought into a saved relationship.

This has huge implications for us, especially within the current American theology of what makes a Christian. Biblically, a saint is defined by belonging to Christ, and not exemplary behavior. It's not that our behavior is unimportant, and Paul' admonitions throughout the New Testament confirm this, but it is that our ability to conform to those behaviors does not determine our status when it comes to being in Christ. That is why messages that only deal with our behavior will never truly represent the gospel. Messages that only promote positive thinking, messages that do not take into consideration our sinful state, messages that tell us how to have our best life now, these types of messages take away from the gospel by drawing people into believing they have heard the gospel.

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans 10:14-15)

When it comes to gospel living, we must recognize who we are before we decide how we will act. Do you give generously? So do others who do not believe. Do you honor your wife, tell the truth (most of the time), have not murdered, don't get drunk, don't worship idols, etc.? So have others who do not believe. So what makes the difference? It is who we are. We are saints, we are sinners saved by grace, we are believers who look at God and see Him as beautiful because of His mercy and grace. And we respond accordingly. Not perfectly, but accordingly. Bridges uses the military analogy of officers in the army. As officers, a certain level of behavior is expected. Perhaps you have heard the expression, "Conduct unbecoming an officer." So their rank defines them, and the behavior follows. Soldiers who also act in manner similar to that of an officer do not become officers by their behavior. Rank defines them. And us. We are saints first, and should act accordingly.