One of the most dangerous problems plaguing the Christian Church is the failure to distinguish between Law and Gospel. These two words – Law and Gospel – are a gift from God. We need both words, but we need them for different reasons.
A clear understanding of Law and Gospel makes us acutely aware of our own sin problem and in awe of God’s grace. A proper understanding of God’s promises gives us hope when we have nothing to hope in, joy when everything is falling apart, and grace when we deserve punishment.
“The distinction between Law and Gospel is the highest art in Christendom.” – Martin Luther
→ The Law shatters all self-made delusions about our goodness and leaves us broken with nowhere to turn but the cross.
→ When the Law does its work, it will force us to be honest. The Law will cut through the facade and expose what’s inside.
→ The Law does its work when we have nowhere to turn but the Cross.
→ If the Law is seen as terminal — the only thing God gives us — behavior modification becomes the Savior.
→ The Law is like a hammer in the hands of the Master Artist — who is working on many individual masterpieces — one of which is you.
→ The cross brings life. Jesus gives us hope when we’ve run out of places to put our hope.
→ Our hope is in a one-sided rescue for hopeless sinners.
→ May God wreck us with his Word of Law and remind us that we’re not as good as we think we are.
→ Grace calls B.S. on any theology that focuses more on what you do than what’s been done.
→ If you’re looking for peace, Karma doesn’t offer it. If you’re looking for hope, Karma doesn’t point to it. Mercy? Karma’s got nothing. Only Jesus gives peace, hope, and mercy and it has nothing to do with obedience, rewards, or punishment.
→ If Karma is true, we’re all screwed. Grace is the enemy of Karma because Grace knows what we deserve. And it gives us the opposite.
→ In the face of things going poorly, Grace — instead of trying to answer “why” — simply promises to be with us in the midst of the pain.
→ While Karma suggests that we end up damned, Grace gives us eternal life. While Karma requires an eye-for-an-eye, Grace turns the other cheek.
→ While Karma always balances the scales, Grace never stops giving because the scales will never be balanced.
→ While Karma suggests that it’s all about our work and what we do, Grace suggests that it’s all about the work of Jesus and what he’s done.
→ Grace is the scandal that never gives us what we deserve and always gives us what we need.
→ When the Law gets the last word, we find ourselves crushed and without hope. Grace is the pronouncement of “done” that quiets the words that judge.
→ Many Christians have become functional Buddhists, trusting in their own works, believing a theology that paints everything within a system of reward and punishment — a system eerily similar to Karma.
→ Grace is the one thing that unites the Church. It is the one thing that breaks down barriers between sinners. Every age, every race, and every socio-economic status are united by one thing, “Jesus Christ and him crucified.”
→ One reason people are running away from Christianity isn’t that they have a problem with Jesus, it’s because most churches aren’t preaching the Gospel — they’ve settled for Karma instead of grace.
→ There’s no place but the Church that forgives with no questions asked. If somebody is a rebel, an outcast, has been ridiculed, or on the verge of death, the Church of Jesus specializes in the One who came for the rebels, welcomes the outcasts, rescues the ridiculed, and raises the dead.
→ The death and resurrection sets the Church apart from the world, and no one else can offer that to the world, including Buddha. Grace gets the last word. “It is Finished.”
→ The problem is that we forget the very thing we need to remember while we remember the very things we need to forget. (2 Cor 5.17) What do you need to forget that God himself has already forgotten? What are you holding onto that Christ took away when he went to the cross?
→ Satan is the world’s best accuser. If he ran a law firm, he’d be its first and most powerful partner. His specialty is accusing and destroying people.
→ Jesus transforms Satan’s legal proceedings by exchanging his innocence for your guilt. He mitigates the charges against you by offering his own life — his obedience, death, and resurrection — all on your behalf.
→ The Law says you are clearly guilty, but Jesus gives you a new shot at life.
→ As Satan continues to accuse and sow doubt, the Law is the Law. There is no “Double Jeopardy” in the Kingdom of God.
→ When Jesus declares, “Not guilty,” that is what you are. The case is closed. The gavel falls. Court adjourned.
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GREATER DEPTHS 