In the first part here, the need for being poor in the spirit was discussed. Here I would like to discuss on another aspect of this, i.e. being poor in the spirit is also needed to be/continue in kingdom
- Realizing the need for Christ/Gospel enables us
- To enter the kingdom
- And also to stay/continue in the kingdom
A common misunderstanding is saved by grace kept by our works or in other words, Gospel is needed only to start with. This leads to another question, if gospel alone is enough then what is the role of leading a holy life, should there be not any efforts?
Therefore there are two questions to be addressed
- Why do we need to trust the gospel everyday
- What is the importance of leading a holy life/Should we not then put effort to lead a holy life?
Why do we need to trust the gospel everyday?
- Galatians had the same issue – Gal 3:3
- The requirement is to be perfect as always, therefore the reason for acceptance is because of Christ. E.g.: Fuel is needed for the car to start, and also to keep it moving. Thus the gospel not only saves you for a moment, it alone makes us complete. This is unlike a jumper cable/car battery, which is needed only for starting the car :).
- Religion says: ‘I obey – therefore I am accepted by God.'”
- Some examples of things that we think is the reason for acceptance are
- Coming to Church
- Giving tithe
- Praying
- Doing good
- Reading/meditating the Word
- All these are good and have a definite purpose, but the acceptance is not based on this. Legalism is treating which is good as essential
- Not a performance driven life. If we add to the work, we do not trust His work. Gal 5:4.
- If we look at Islam (on a very high simplistic way), the final salvation is by weighing the good works. if the good works outweighs the evil, you are saved. In Christian faith, the only reason you are accepted is because of Christ's work!
- Consider the parable in Luke 18: 9-14. The Pharisee never lied, he said only what he had done. The problem was that he thought he gained everything before God because of what he did.
Should we not then put effort to lead a holy life?
- When we are saved, we are conformed to His image. Saved for good works Ephesians 2:10
- The operating principle of the gospel is “I am accepted by God through what Christ has done – therefore I obey.”
- Gospel is the reason for acceptance and is also, the motivation to obey
- Once justified, the sanctification process starts from there.
- What we do should be based on what he has done/motivated by it
- We strive for holiness because we cannot stay where we are. We are called as we are but not stay as we are (Tim Keller).
- A life that flows out of believing and not merely a religious life.
- The New Testament often calls God’s people to be what they are in principle in Christ and then to put effort to do, that which is in line with their new identity and position in Christ. Col 3:1-5, Romans 6:1-11
- Going to Texans game doesn't make you a fan of Texans. Of course you can go to please others or to show others. A real fan of the texans go for the game because he loves his team and is motivated by his team.
Questions to Ask Our self
- Have we ever thought about the acceptance we have because of the gospel?
- The things that we do, is it out of religiosity or out of our faith/love?
- Are we still religious and trying to earn from God?
- Do we pursue holiness/Godly life in our daily walk or are we trying to achieve his approval through works.
- Are we really saved or following a religion?
