Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5
I, once again, had a Jehovah's Witness, Marguerite, show up at my door for a little conversation. I think that I surprised her when I agreed on the importance of Bible reading, that Jesus came to establish his kingdom and that there would be a resurrection so that we might live on this earth. All good. But after a bit, I asked a question to raise the point that our 'good standing with Jehovah' (her words) was a matter of grace. I read Ephesians 2.8 (out of her Bible). She agreed, at first, saying, 'Sure, Jesus graciously helps us' or words to that effect. But I wanted to press home the point that it was a matter of grace without our doing this or that or better, despite our doings. And to make that clear, I talked about how a believer's good standing before Jehovah is still in place even if he sins it up: the scandal of the Gospel. At that point, she could not agree. We have to behave ourselves. End of conversation.
As I reflected on all of this the thought came to me that far too many Christians today would agree with Marguerite. (There are a ton who would agree with me, but for the wrong reasons. More on that at another time.) There are lots of serious Christians who clearly and passionately declare that we are saved by grace alone in Christ alone - and then tremble in fear because they wonder if they've gone too far in that last sin, or are terrified that they might go too far in some future sin. They agree with Marguerite: we are graciously helped by Jesus - but there are still things required of us if our good standing with the Father is to continue. What is this but a crafty (read: 'satanic') variation on the old theme of being saved by our own works? 'Jesus completely saves me ... as long as I still do my part.' This is so wrong!
One thing that this foolishness misses is God's standard by which he evaluates. That standard is perfection. And God's Law describes that perfection quite well. So, 'doing my part' has to mean 'being perfect'. Nothing else counts. Nothing else is good enough. Nothing.
We sinners, who sin tons and do it quite well (lots of practice!), we sinners who couldn't do anything 'good enough' to establish our good standing with the Father, we can't do anything 'good enough' to continue that good standing. We sinners are saved only what Jesus has done. We contribute nothing because we can contribute nothing. So, where our sin increases the grace of the Gospel abounds even more, or so says Paul. In this way we are freed from the slavery of trying to achieve an impossible goal: being good enough. We are saved by grace alone in Jesus alone received by faith alone.
So, I would ask that you pray for Marguerite that she would be freed from her slavery, that she would come to see the beauty of the grace of the Gospel. Jesus saves all by himself. And then pray for all those Christians who also need to be freed.