We strongly reject every explanation of the death of Christ which does not have at its centre the principle of ‘satisfaction through substitution’, indeed divine self-satisfaction through divine self-substitution. The cross was not a commercial bargain with the devil, let alone one which tricked and trapped him; nor an exact equivalent, a quid pro quo to satisfy a code of honour or technical point of law; nor a compulsory submission by God to some moral authority above him from which he could not otherwise escape; nor a punishment of a meek Christ by a harsh and punitive Father; nor a procurement of salvation by a loving Christ from a mean and reluctant Father; nor an action of the Father which bypassed Christ as Mediator. Instead, the righteous, loving Father humbled himself to become in and through his only Son flesh, sin and a curse for us, in order to redeem us without compromising his own character. The theological words ‘satisfaction’ and ‘substitution’ need to be carefully defined and safeguarded, but they cannot in any circumstances be given up.

—The Cross of Christ 159

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is true worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Romans 12:1-8 (TNIV)

Paul has spent the last 11 chapters laying out the desperate plight of the human condition and what God has done about it in Jesus Christ. Here he tells us what should be our response to God’s great love for us in Jesus Christ. We should give God our entire being, body and mind, to God’s service. How do we know what he wants us to do? We allow his Spirit to live in us and to make us become more like Christ. This isn’t an event, but a process, and if my experience is a valid indicator, it is a long and painfully slow process.

We allow God to renew our minds through prayer, daily Scripture reading, weekly worship, and Christian fellowship. This isn’t a comprehensive list but it is a good start. And because Christ humbled himself and took on our flesh (cf. Philippians 2), we are to do likewise. Instead of our lives being all about us, our lives should be open to the Holy Spirit leading us, dedicated to serving God and others. We are to use our gifts to build up each other in Christ’s Body, the Church, and we are not to be bashful in doing so.

What a different picture this is from the one the world paints! I am thinking of a TV commercial that exhorts us to celebrate “being ourselves.” Hmmm… By contrast, Paul tells us to manifest our love for God and our faith in Jesus Christ by following God’s will for us and serving others humbly.

The extent to which you understand the human condition and what God has done for you will determine the extent you are willing to give yourself to God as a living sacrifice in his service. It is a good self-check. Are you eager to love and serve the Lord?

How are you supposed to act here on the road to heaven? What should be your occupation? Surely it is to praise the God you love and to bring others to love him together with you. If you are passionate about [an athlete], would you not pester other people to become your fellow fans? [The athlete’s] fan talks about his hero wherever he goes, trying to persuade others to share his passion. With the same passion you should not begrudge God to anyone. Grab someone else, as many people as you can, everyone you can get hold of. There is room for all of them in God and all of you will together possess him whole and entire.

From the stench in the building I realize that I have talked too long, but I can never keep up with your eager demands. I only wish you were just as demanding in seizing the kingdom of heaven.

—Commentary on Psalm 72.34

Heh. In addition to this wonderful message, you have to love Augustine’s forthrightness and earthiness. I think I will start using the congregation’s BO as a gauge to help me know when to stop preaching my sermons. 🙂

None of us should engage in combat with temptations that vex us and presumptuously rely on ourselves. Don’t be careless and slack about fighting but also don’t proudly rely on yourselves. Whatever it is that troubles you, battle it bravely and don’t give in. But then call upon the God who watches from the sidelines. God uses you as his instrument in battle. It is he who insures the victory. By fighting bravely and acknowledging God’s help, we can compete without anxiety and, when the contest is over, we can rest in the holy quiet of heaven. The God who permits the battle to continue, watches you in your fight, helps you when the going gets tough and will crown you with the victor’s laurels when you win.

—Augustine, Sermon 335K.6

One of my theology professors at Trinity School for Ministry and its current Dean and President, the Very Rev’d Dr. Justyn Terry, has produced two pamphlets titled, Forgiveness, Purpose and Hope Through the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and Faith, Hope and Love. Justyn is an outstanding theologian and an even better teacher, one of the best I have ever had. He explains why he wrote these two tracts:

“Forgiveness, Purpose and Hope through the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ,” is designed for personal evangelism and includes the sinner’s prayer. The second is the sequel: “Faith, Hope and Love: Starting to live the Christian Life.” Both are now available on the Trinity web site (www.tsm.edu). You are welcome to amend them to make them your own, but please use your own name and e-mail address if you do! “Faith, Hope and Love” is about getting connected to the Church, being baptized, and starting out on the Christian way. It includes the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments, so it lays the foundation for on-going catechesis. The idea is that it can be given to someone who responds to the call of Christ in a personal conversation or during an ‘altar call’ in church.

Both are quite good and I encourage you to check them out and use them.

Depth of Mercy! Can There Be

Depth of mercy! Can there be
mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God his wrath forbear,
me, the chief of sinners, spare?

I have long withstood his grace,
long provoked him to his face,
would not hearken to his calls,
grieved him by a thousand falls.

I my Master have denied,
I afresh have crucified,
oft profaned his hallowed name,
put him to an open shame.

There for me the Savior stands,
shows his wounds and spreads his hands.
God is love! I know, I feel;
Jesus weeps and loves me still.

Now incline me to repent,
let me now my sins lament,
now my foul revolt deplore,
weep, believe, and sin no more.

—Charles Wesley 355