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"Boy, well maybe I'm not a Christian" - (Andrew Scrivner) There's a lot to a statement like that. I guess I'd want to know what he/she thinks being a Christian is; like what would make him/her say that? Is it their performance that makes them a Christian (ie saves him/her)? Or is it them placing all hope, trust, and faith in Christ's sacrifice for the full penalty of their sin and God's declaration of their righteous as a result that saves them? Satan would want us as believers to despair (and despair we would and should if our own performance was what made us righteous before God Almighty!) but the Gospel and the Cross lay complete waste to legalism and self-righteousness and give the sweetest (and surest) hope there is. We are saved by Grace, and that is the gift of God so that no man may boast. So when I read a comment like that I guess I would ask him/her what they mean. And then I think they need to immerse themselves in the study of the doctrines of justification and grace, and the gospel, which goes right back to how you were telling him/her to start their day at the foot of the Cross. The Gospel is our lifeblood; we never get beyond the Cross. On a side note, if there's a concern within them that they are not a Christian, I'd take that as a good thing. The fact that they're struggling with sin shows they are a child of God as we studied in Romans 8; God's children are drawn into battle with the flesh. It's when there is no battle with sin that there should be concern and a crying out to God for Him to grant conviction and repentance. Now, maybe they are at a point where they aren't battling and haven't been and are apathetic. If that's the case, then they are in a dangerous place and need to cry out to God for conviction, repentance, and mercy for their self-righteousness. Thank Jesus for His Cross indeed!! That God is merciful to sinners is amazing (common grace). But that He would lovingly plan from eternity past to actively work salvation in the hearts of His elect is stupefying (saving grace). That He would justify, conform, preserve and glorify sinners is beyond comprehension. How amazing is Grace!!? And how glorious the Cross!!? So yeah, I hear you. How good God is, has been, and will continue to be (because He promises to) to us is amazing. That He opens our eyes to see the sin that separates us from Him...what mercy. What a God. Anyway, my two cents... |
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