Gospel-Motivation March 29, 2007
Posted by Joe in : General Lessons , trackbackErin,
So you actually read those articles all the way through huh? That’s a good idea. I might follow your lead on that one sometime huh? As you guessed, I linked to those articles because they came from a reliable source. I still count them reliable, but I will do more checking next time! But as you said, it was a good learning opportunity. That is usually the case isn’t it? I am quite sure that the Lord ordains that error spread so that the truth might be more faithfully clarified. This has been the case throughout the history of the church. Indeed, much of the New Testament was written on those grounds.
Now, that being said, the error you mentioned is minor, but it has gained quite a foothold in Biblical teaching and theology. Particularly in the Reformed community, we often hear it said that gratitude for the cross is a motivation for obedience. As you alluded to, Piper more or less demolished that notion in his book Future Grace. For that I am thankful, because I was definitely saying that before I read his book! And though the error is minor, it goes to show that minor errors can have major effects. I know that a whole new world of grace and sanctification opened up to me after reading Piper’s work. For until you understand how God motivates us to obedience, how can we really be sanctified?
As it relates to raising our kids, I do want to emphasize the fact that we should still emphasize what Jesus has done in their place as a motivation for obedience. However, we should not emphasize it as it relates to ‘gratitude’, but instead, standing with God.
This isn’t easy, of course, because our children just don’t understand much when they are young. Maybe in a few years, Abigail will be able to know something of trusting in Christ and being united to Him. At least that is my prayer. But for now, she just needs to hear over and over again that she is a sinner who needs a Savior–Jesus Christ our Lord. She is a little girl who desperately needs to be delivered from an inner enemy that she cannot conquer. And so is the case with Elijah. So also is the case with us. Continually, we must set before their (and our) eyes the gospel of hope, the good news that Jesus died in the place of all who choose to believe in Him. For only then can we truly be set free.
As it relates to motivation, I would venture to say that if we (and they) truly trust in the Lord Jesus, we are righteous before God and freed from trying to earn our way to Heaven. We don’t need to fret over our sins. We need to confess them and forsake them and realize that Jesus has paid for them. No need to beat ourselves up. No need to dwell too long on the past or present failures. We need to look to the cross and our right standing with God, so that we might be set free to obey. Maybe, in the end, it isn’t so much of a motivation as it is a release. But the more I come to understand such truth, the more motivated I am to obey. I suppose that is about as much as I can say.
So….let us labor to continually keep the gospel in view and to hold it before our little children, whether they walk in obedience or disobedience. For it is the only hope for a happy heart and a happy home–indeed, a happy world!
Basking in His mercy with you,
Joe
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