"We are faced, then, with a frightening alternative. This man we are talking about either was (and is) just what He said or else a lunatic, or something worse. Now it seems to me obvious that He was neither a lunatic nor a fiend; and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that He was and is God. God has landed on this enemy-occupied world in human form."
- C.S. Lewis
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
At our Pastors Gospel Group meeting yesterday, Ray Ortlund, as he consistently does, lit a gospel fire in the midst of us by reading this passage to us from Martin Luther's "Letters of Spiritual Counsel." It is so powerful and encouraging.
When the devil throws our sins up to us and declares that we deserve death and hell, we ought to speak thus: "I admit that I deserve death and hell. What of it? Does this mean that I shall be sentenced to eternal damnation? By no means. For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction in my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Where he is, there shall I be also."
If that don't light your fire, your wick's wet.
(Cross-posted at GDC)
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Comments on "I Admit I Deserve Death and Hell. So What?":
2. Lauren
- 05/20/2009 6:56 pm CDT
I even remember this scene depicted in the movie Luther. I loved the movie. I'm sure similar thoughts have plagued most of us and similar reassurances from the Spirit came to sooth our souls; but to see it in the movie and to again read it here refreshes my joy. My fiance and I watched the movie on our first date. We're getting married in 31 days, June 20, in Hurst.
3. ruben
- 05/21/2009 11:53 am CDT
There's a general tendency I notice for Calvinist theology to produce an attitude of "I'm a despicable, worthless sinner". In my case all the rhetoric I hear can be used to reinforce an attitude of damaging self-hatred. I think what Luther is saying is that it should produce the opposite.
4. Jared
- 05/21/2009 12:02 pm CDT
Ruben, yes. "I'm a despicable, worthless sinner" is true, and it can be a valuable truth because it is finally some honesty about ourselves. But it is not the gospel, only a half-gospel at best.
I think what we find in the church is usually one of those extremes, some form of half-gospel. And we end up reacting to the one we're burnt out on.
So the fundamentalist/traditionalist church of the 50s/60s/70s gave us the truth about ourselves but without the truth of the gospel (all Law, no grace), and the reaction to that was the boomer church of the 80s/90s/00s that really wants us to know that God loves us, but pretty much because we're awesome (all grace, no Law).
I think Luther's quote encapsulates gospel-driven self-reflection. Yes, I am a worthless, despicable sinner. What of it? Jesus took that to the cross and killed it because I am loved by God despite my sin.
5. nhe
- 05/21/2009 2:31 pm CDT
Yes, I am a worthless, despicable sinner. What of it? Jesus took that to the cross and killed it because I am loved by God despite my sin.
.....and even though I may not be good enough, or smart enough......doggone it! Jesus likes Me!
Calvinism meets Stuart Smalley
6. GinH
- 05/21/2009 8:18 pm CDT
My fire's lit.
Good thing to read today what with so many dadgum church people throwing water on my fire today. Someone please tell me you find ministry to the crazy church people hard because I need to hear I'm not the only one.
Please.
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Thanks for posting this, Jared!