Friday, 20 February, 2004

We continue a devotional journey focused around portions of Carl E. Braaten’s book “Justification.”



Braaten writes that a theology of the gospel can be developed only within a cluster of supporting concepts. This week will look at a few.

…even after the reception of forgiveness, the law enters as a threat. It tries to legalize the gospel. This happens when preachers announce: “You are saved by grace, but…” Grace is not grace if there are any ifs, ands, or buts about it. Grace is unconditional. There is no salvation based on works. The sinner is incapable of doing God-pleasing works. For the Christian it is nothing less than blasphemy to tie salvation to one’s own good works, for that detracts from the sufficiency of Christ and leads to boasting.



No “ifs, ands, or buts.” This is a hard thing to hear because we so often want to put some kind of conditions on the gospel…but, remember, grace is unconditional. I find it interesting that we so often love to hear the word of God’s grace but that is where we stay…we want to be hearers of the gospel, but then let’s leave it there. To trust that the gospel is the way of new life in Christ, Jesus, and step out into this day as though the gospel is the truth for our life seems to be something we would rather simply hear about, for then, we can keep it a matter of sentimentality rather than a reality that leads to the cross and then resurrection. When you hear that “but” in a sermon, you are free to walk out…or free to approach a preacher and ask why the “but” had to be there.



Connection: Take the grace of God – the gospel – to heart and don’t settle for any other word about how God actions among us and how we are offered life. But when we do that – take it to heart…make it the core of our purpose in life – there will be persecution. Be brave-hearted today.



Lord, walk with us and make us your ambassadors of grace and love within the world as we face it today. Amen.