Thinking Out Loud: Justification, Obedience and The Finished Work of Christ

For a few months now, I've been trying to wrap my mind around the concept of "how" God works to save me, the role Jesus plays--and my responsibility.

The Dilemma

Jesus' words have often haunted my thoughts :

"Go in through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there are who go in through it. Because narrow is the gate and constricted is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:13-14

Ok. I know the narrow gate is Jesus Himself. But beyond that acknowledgment, the questions begin to accumulate. Exactly HOW constricted is that WAY? And HOW FEW are the few who find it? What path am I on? How do I know if I've found the right one? If I'm on the right trail, am I being good enough to remain in the constricted way? I'm getting a little nervous, here.

He also said: If you love Me, keep My commandments. (John 14:15) and If you keep My commandments, you shall abide in My love, even as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. (John 15:10)

What commandments are we talking about? The sermon on the mount? The messages in the parables? Since Jesus is also God incarnate, are we talking about the Law that He instituted from the smoking mountain? On that note, Jesus said He didn't come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it....Does that mean it was incomplete before and Jesus upped the stakes through His teaching? Anxiety begins to grow.

It certainly looks as though Jesus is setting a burden of personal responsibility for salvation squarely in the laps of His listeners. Those who love God should be able to provide proof by their obedience to His direction .....and, I begin to hyperventilate.

I need some answers.

Let's see. The epistles are full of instruction concerning how believers ought to live. Paul wrote:

"Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor abusers, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Those are pretty sobering words. What exactly does Paul mean by "and such were some of you"? Does this indicate that those who are truly saved will no longer sin, or even have the desire? That definitely would suggest that the way to life is indeed very narrow. So narrow that no one has ever walked on it.

Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another. Galatians 5:19-26

I expect that every person who has ever lived can identify with at least one of the sinful tendencies that are mentioned in the above passages. Isn't Paul, urging readers to work hard at shedding all vestiges of sinful self so as to not be turned away when we finally stand before the gates of heaven? Doesn't the indwelling of the Holy Spirit enable us to pull ourselves out of the muck and persevere in obedience to Christ's commands? If he wasn't writing such things to instruct readers on how to be "good enough" to get into heaven, then what was Paul's purpose?

Perhaps he is giving readers a reminder to choose to live in a way that honors Christ who paid such a high price for our deliverance? If that is the case, it does not mean that I am responsible for cooperating with God in the salvation process. Rather, it means that I, as His rescued and adopted child do not wish to add to the pain that Christ suffered on my behalf. Was Paul simply giving written instruction because even Christians don't just automatically know and remember what is the right thing to do?

Maybe John's letter will offer enlightenment... My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. John first seems to be saying that Christians 1 John 2:1

John writes so that readers may not sin--then turns around and says that *if* anyone sins, Jesus has things under control. Is he unable to make up his mind about whether a Christian is able sin?

I do realize here that there is a reasonable explanation concerning the difference between living a lifestyle that is marked by unrepentant sin and a redeemed yet imperfect life that is being molded into a more Christlike image. But the text can be somewhat confusing, no? Fortunately, the rest of the book of 1 John does help clarify the meaning. This is a good example of why it is a BAD idea to start ripping verses out of context.

Let's see. Concerning obedience to God's commands, James says:

For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," said also, "Do not kill." If you do not commit adultery but do kill, you have become a transgressor of the law. James 2:10-11 (RSV)

Yikes! So, if I am to be measuring my efforts at obedience, it has to be done according to God's standards. And when I fail in my efforts to please, I have broken the WHOLE LAW! So, then I'm left saying "Oh, great! I can't be good enough." And again, a good example of why it is not smart to lift verses out of their full context because the next verse says:

So speak and do as those who shall be judged by the Law of liberty. James 2:12

So, that clarifies everything, right? Back to laws. In this case, I just need to figure out what is the "Law of liberty".

Does that mean I can "trust in Jesus" and then do whatever I want? That would be pretty easy.

For he who has shown no mercy shall have judgment without mercy, and mercy exults over judgment. My brothers, what profit is it if a man says he has faith and does not have works? Can faith save him? James 2:13-14

Guess not. Actions still count. But what role do they play? What am I supposed to do?

Jesus again:

For I say to you that unless your righteousness shall exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5:20

I'm sunk. It appears that I can't do anything.

And I'm desperately crying out, "Then, WHO can be saved?" And how?

The Contemplation

In my search for answers, I've spent time considering some conflicting ideas.

Some people apparently believe that Jesus' perfect life and teachings were primarily meant to be instructive to followers who are serious about entering into eternal life. My understanding of the teaching is that His death and resurrection clear our past sins and give us hope, but the burden of continued obedience is a matter of willpower that is set on our own heads.

Within the accompanying framework, the setting of our faith in Christ's righteousness alone is sometimes said to be rooted in a desire for "cheap grace", which requires nothing of those who claim His name.

However, I would note here that if a person has no respect for what our salvation cost God, I would suggest that person needs to carefully consider whether (s)he has actually met with God and been convicted of the desperate need for a Savior. I submit to the reader that there is no such thing as "cheap grace". And James clearly states that "faith without works is dead". So I absolutely believe that obedience to God is essential if I am to call Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.

According to the "maintain your own salvation" schematic, it seems that Jesus unlocked the gate and invites us to pass through. The accepting traveler must, (with God's guidance) then make enough right decisions to ensure he stays saved. However, this perspective also assumes that if a Christian makes enough mistakes (especially if they are deliberate), he will eventually accumulate too many bad marks (by way of an incrementally hardened heart) and be kicked out of God's Kingdom.

The "Jesus saves you but you also have to save yourself" line of thinking is especially confusing for me, since there seems to be an inexhaustible array of opinions on where the line for loss of salvation actually is located. So, that way of thinking leaves me wondering how one might determine whether he has crossed that line. Also, I wonder where might one find joy in his salvation if he is constantly struggling to ensure he is not treading too closely to the edge of that dangerous cliff.

One might assume that a professing Christian who wishes to constantly toy with disobedience is not really a true Christian. I wouldn't argue against that too strongly, even though it isn't my place to determine whether someone else is born again.

On the other end of the stick, I am wondering how a person can strive to stay in the perceived safety zone and not end up feeling just a tad smug over his/her efforts. Couldn't that perspective eventually cause a believer to begin to think (s)he has somehow earned a little piece of heaven?

Another perspective stresses that we cannot be good enough for God and focuses on God's pre-ordained selection and subsequent perfecting of His people. This way of thinking offers a measure of comfort to those who believe themselves to be in that particular group. And it can offer relief from the stress of "performance anxiety". While I see Biblical support for the doctrine of "God's election of the saints", I have to admit I don't really understand what all that means. God cannot lie (Titus 1:2) and Jesus said He won't lose anything that the Father has given to Him (John 6:39). I firmly believe that God is trustworthy and will complete whatever work He started (Philippians 1:6). That is about the extent of my understanding of "eternal security".

It is interesting to me that while the concept of being specially chosen by God has a humbling effect on some, it can cause others to swell with pride and even become abusive to others. An extreme variation of that particular view takes the form of legalism that only "the elect" will be able to accept as "the" truly God-pleasing way to live. Anyone who disagrees must not be God's chosen (or so it is claimed).

Also, I don't believe God's gift of salvation is a thing that can be lost. But, I have caught myself repeatedly worrying how I can know for sure that I am actually a part of the "elect". Oddly, my focus will shift from looking at Christ and His finished work on the cross to attempting to measure the perceived pile of fruit which is said to be evidence of having been made a new creature in Him. Fruit is evidence--but it shouldn't be the main focus.

It is amazing to me how I have such a strong desire to place myself at the center of everything. And when I do, I get a really good picture of how pathetic I am in my efforts to please God.

On my best day, I still fall way short of perfection. And, according to James, an arrow that hits even a smidgen outside the bullseye is unacceptable.

Ideally, we should all be obeying--ALL of the time. But, even the Apostle Paul's resurrected spirit was at war with his still active sinful nature.

For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin which dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I of myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. (Romans 7:18-25) RSV

He wasn't exactly a baby Christian when he wrote that. Yet, he admitted to having a very real battle with doing what he knows is not right. How often he lost that battle, we have no way of knowing. I've wondered whether Paul struggled with the desire to complain, lie, steal or lust. In his letter to Titus, it appears he is saying that God's grace is actively training us into godliness. It's a lifelong process in which we should expect to fully engage.

For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:11-14

The goal is to be good like Jesus, and His life and teachings present an intimidatingly perfect example. Paul, John and James all point to our need to follow in His footsteps. We are to strain after Him with every fiber of our being. Yet, it appears no one will ever be "good enough".

How could my righteousness possibly exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees so that I may be counted as worthy to stand before a Holy and perfect Creator who cannot tolerate sin in any amount?

Jesus said: "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)

And, I've been drawn back to the concept of "double imputation", wherein my sin (and the well-deserved punishment) was laid to the spotless Lamb of God--while simultaneously, His righteousness was applied to my freshly cleared account. So, as a result of this exchange, I am able to not only appear before God as "innocent" of wrongdoing, but also to have Jesus' perfect obedience be accredited to my name so that "my" righteousness does indeed exceed that of the scribes and pharisees.

I once heard missionary Paul Washer say that only God can withstand the wrath of God. I agree, and would like to add that only God's goodness can be counted as "good" by Him.

In response to this amazing gift of Himself, I have no choice but to fall on my face before my God and gratefully choose to obey Him, knowing that He is now actively refining my heart so that I might better reflect the image of His son. How could I refuse such an amazing opportunity?!

And yet, sometimes I do resist. And I'm certain that for every deliberate offense, there are a half dozen others of which I am not aware. And I find myself praying, like David, who recognized that his only hope for salvation from God's wrath was to be found in Him:

But who can discern his errors? Clear thou me from hidden faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:12-14

I recently came across a video that touches on the significance of Jesus' perfect submission to God's will. I'm still considering this, but was definitely touched on a heart level when faced with the truth of my own helplessness and desperate need to be covered on all sides in Jesus' blood when I stand before the judgment seat of God.

Just thinking out loud.

HT : Glen