I want to be upfront that I have read about half of this book and I have some, many, disagreements with the author on things he says. I know the author is a lot more educated than I am, but still, I have some issues with his exegesis.
That said, I agree with the authors point that the way our heart works is very deceitful and leans one way or the other (licentious or law). On page 43 he says, "Jesus, though, shows us that a man who has violated virtually nothing on the list of moral misbehavior's can be every bit as spiritually lost as the profligate, immoral person. Why? Because sin is not just breaking the rules, it is putting yourself in the place of God as Savior, Lord, and Judge..."
What a compelling thought! Yes, I would rather have a law keeper living next door to me, because it would benefit me to have someone who keeps their home up and cares about their status. But that does not make them any more desirable to God. His view is altogether different. The law abiding or the licentious are both separated from him... and that really matters to God.
If we believe this how should we respond?
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ReplyDeleteIf no matter what we do or don't do, we're still in need of a savior, that should make us rejoice all the more that we do have such a Savior who has made us right before God!
ReplyDeleteWhile I see Tim Keller's point that "being an elder brother Pharisee is a more spiritually desperate condition," because they are blinder to their sin, I think there is still something to be said for avoiding licentiousnes, because even though Christ's shed blood covers all sin, there are painful long-lasting consequences that often come along with lawlessness. For example, parents sometimes need to teach children to obey simple commands before children fully understand the underlying heart issues, because the commands keep children safe. So while the law abiding are not closer to God because they obey, they do seem to be protected from some difficult circumstances (i.e. Someone abstains from smoking early in life as a non-Christian. Becomes a Christian later in life, and now has a much less chance of getting lung cancer, which may help him to be more effective in serving God.)
Yes, that is a wonderful reason to rejoice!
ReplyDeleteAmen!