Despite the large number of topics that can be addressed in the realm of Christianity, there can be no better place to continually return to than the Gospel message. Those who are not frequently acquainted with the Gospel or who do not have a firm understanding of its message may quickly turn a blind eye. They may believe there is not much to it. They may believe it is too simple of a message. They may also think that they must venture on into new heights of deep theology. However, all of this activity will leave the Christian wanting.
The Gospel is meant to be the Christian’s favorite message. It is through this message that the love of God is on display in its greatest measure. It is through this message that Christ is crucified for the sinner’s sake. No matter what a person may feel, if his heart had grown cold to the Gospel message, he must turn to God and ask God to renew the love that he had at the first.
You see, Christianity can turn academic. Knowledge is enticing. If the Christian is not careful, he will find himself wanting to learn all there is to know about everything except for Jesus. The love of Christ has grown cold in the hearts of many believers. It is a subtle sort of coldness whereby the enemy tightens his grip without the Christian’s knowing it. The degree of effectiveness in the kingdom has a direct correlation to the degree that that same Christian loves his Savior. Satan will seek veil the eyes of unbelievers so they will not see Christ in His Gospel. On the other hand, when someone believes the Gospel, Satan does not stop seeking to veil the eyes. Rather, he will continue to seek to distract and deflect the eyes of the believer away from his Savior.
An indicator that your love has grown cold toward the Savior can be found in the degree to which Christ occupies your thoughts. Ask yourself, “Is He everything to me?” “Do I delight in thinking about Christ?” The answer to these questions will help anyone to know if they are on the right track. Cherishing Christ in our hearts is not a means to the end; it is the end. This is one of the major goals of our salvation and will be one of the greatest dynamics in eternity. An unbridled love for Jesus will be one of the sinner’s greatest rewards.
Is this growing and increasing in your life today? Maybe you need to be reminded of the work of Christ again. Sin will separate the believer from a life for Christ. Activity will sever a believer from intimacy. Even ministry can be an elusive snare of the enemy. Sit at the feet of Jesus today, and find rest in His work.
Romans 3:21-23 is a reason for rejoicing.
Righteousness apart from the law
Scripture says, “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets” (Rom. 3:21). Life is tough; there is no way around this fact. Ever since the fall of humanity, life has been rattled with challenges and struggles. One of the greatest challenges of all is a person’s seeking to live up to the law of God. This challenge is so great that nobody has ever done it.
The unbeliever may think that Christianity is for wimps. In reality, it is much harder than being an unbeliever. When someone is dead in their sins and trespasses (as Ephesians chapter 2 declares), he is simply living a life in which he does whatever he wants to do (also known as living according to the flesh). This is not hard. Doing what we want to do comes easy. Giving into the flesh is easy. This may look significantly different for different people, but at the end of the day, it is not hard.
However, when the law of God is introduced as a real standard to live by, things get tough. The Christian sees before him a standard that he must strive after. His flesh seeks to pull him away from this standard while the Spirit draws him near. A war is taking place inside of the believer that can only truly be understood by him and God alone.
In the midst of this battle, there is failure, there is defeat, and there is disobedience. All of this can leave the Christian guilty, shameful, depressed, and discouraged. But this portion of Scripture tells the Christian that there is hope for him in his struggles. He must remember that there is a righteousness apart from the law that he finds himself looking to so often. The law of God is a mountain that can only be moved by one thing and one thing alone.
Righteousness through faith in Christ
In the Gospels, Jesus told His disciples this: “Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done” (Matt. 21:21). Was Jesus referring to the law of God as a mountain here? It is hard to know for sure. Quickly, people may rise to the defense of a literal interpretation of Scripture at such a claim. However, do not forget that when Jesus cursed the fig tree, it is recognized that the fig tree represented Israel. So why could not the mountain have represented the law?
Either way, it is hard to know, and being conservative in interpretation may prove to be the best approach here. Regardless of what Jesus may have had in mind when he spoke of a mountain being removed by faith, it can clearly be used as an illustration with significant ramifications on Romans 3:22. Scripture says, “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference” (Rom. 3:22). Here the Scripture tells us that there is a righteousness of God that the Christian can have by faith in Jesus Christ.
It is as though the law of God is removed and cast into the sea through faith in Christ. Scripture says, “…thou will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Mic. 7:19). What a marvelous mystery as to the ways in which God is able to do such a thing. But praise the Lord that it is so.
Righteousness despite sin
Scripture makes it clear that as the Christian enters into this redeemed state with the Lord, he brings his problems with him. They are not simply left at the front door. Rather, God begins to slowly work on the life of this new believer. The Bible makes it clear: “…all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Here we find the testimony of man. He is in desperate need of help. He must be provided with a solution, for he could never make one of his own. He is, and always will be, entirely dependent upon the mercy of God.
But God has made a way. Jesus is the way. Even for the most seasoned of Christians, there can be times in which they may find themselves getting fixated on the law. One of the defining marks of a Christian is a real concern to walk in holiness. If this is not present, he should be examining himself to see if he is in the faith. Holiness is to be a constant concern for the Christian. Nevertheless, as a Christian becomes concerned with holiness, there can be a line that is easily crossed. He may find himself striving for holiness in his own strength, looking to the law and seeking to uphold it apart from God and His grace, and even having the law capture his thoughts and affections more than Christ Himself.
Scripture declares that we all fall short. Christ must be the focus of the Christian’s attention. Rejoice in the finished work of Christ today – that while you were a sinner, Christ died for you. There is hope apart from the law. It is found in the righteousness of Another.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for the ways that You continually help me to see Jesus each day. Help me to keep my gaze upon my Savior. In Jesus’ name, Amen.