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Pastor's Blog June 11, 2020
"The Test of Discipleship II"
{Scroll over scripture reference to read the scripture or reference.
There is a truth we need to admit from the outset: the Christian life is not a transaction. Or perhaps there is a more specific way to phrase this truth: the Christian life is a transaction, but of a kind that is entirely unlike any transactional procedure we have ever encountered.
In "Steps to Christ," our friend Ellen helps us understand the "economics" of the Christian life. Eternal life is only granted on the basis of "perfect obedience to the law of God," because the law of God basically describes how the whole universe will be the happiest, safest, and most fulfilled; however, Adam failed to pursue this path, and we in turn fail to pursue God's righteousness on our own because we have fallen natures (42; 1977 edition).
But joy of joys, "Christ has made a way of escape for us" by his life, death, and high priestly work (42)! He exchanges our sins for his righteousness, such that "you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned" (42). And the further part of this exchange is that "Christ changes the heart," abiding in our hearts by faith and living his resurrection life in us by the power of the Holy Spirit (42-43). But here is where we see that the Christian life is unlike any transaction we've ever experienced. Christ "abides in your heart by faith" (42), but it's not by YOUR faith.
A few sentences later, Ellen quotes Galatians 2:20, which states that "I live by the faith of the Son of God" (42) - not by my faith in the Son of God, but by the Son of God's faith (the KJV is correct in its translation, since that is the meaning of Paul's Greek)! It is not us who believe, who pursue Christ, or who try to be righteous by the Spirit's power; instead, it is the Holy Spirit who speaks in and through us and it is Christ who works in us, producing good works and obedience in us (42-43). Apparently, there is nothing for us to do in producing righteousness!
The only thing left for us to do is to "maintain this connection with Christ by faith and the continual surrender of your will to Him" (42) - which is simply another way of talking about you being so deeply and passionately in love with Jesus that you find yourself lost to all else but him (43).
Friends, I encourage you to accept this one-sided transaction and surrender to this most radical of relationships that results in your eternal life.
(*) Steps to Christ, Chapter 7—The Test of Discipleship, 1977 edition
God Bless.
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
