Christian Concepts to Remember (2-2-2022)
In the sermon at Hillside on Sunday, February 6, I will speak about Justification by Faith. Alister McGrath calls this “the central theme of both the Old and New Testaments”.[i] Do you agree? Or, would you say salvation is the central theme? Or, redemption? Or, New Creation? McGrath would locate all these important ideas along with restoration, regeneration, forgiveness of sins, and many others under the category of justification.
I do not think the average churchgoer who doesn’t
regularly read theology books will be able to differentiate between these
terms. I regularly read theological works and tomes, and it’s not easy for me
to distill the ideas into concise definitions. Theological thinking is
beneficial, and I will, in the preaching, attempt to help the church grow in
theological understanding.
Here, though, I invite you to focus on just two concepts.
First, you and I absolutely need God. Whatever justification is, and there are
countless books on justification, most every theologian and Bible scholar agree
it is instituted and initiated by God. Human beings are sinners cut off from
God and we cannot get to Him on our own effort. In Jesus, God comes to us,
removes our sin and invites us to receive forgiveness. He invites us to live as
His children.
The second idea is relationship. I am sure a lot of
people hear pastors like me talk about relationship with God, and they
think, ‘I can’t see or hear God. How can I have a relationship with one I
cannot see or hear?’ I get it. This question makes sense. Relationship with God
can only be had if we acknowledge there is more to reality than what we can
see, hear, taste, smell, or feel.
God may, on rare occasions, speak in an audible voice,
but God is always speaking to our spirits. The relationship God desires with us
is one of love, one in which our integrity and autonomy are respected, and one in
which we will grow. If you come to God in your need, and if you tune out the
distractions of social media, toxic relationships, unhealthy amounts of screen
time, and whatever contributes to societal ADHD, you will find that a
relationship with God can be had. The relationship will grow and deepen the
more you give yourself fully to it. And, the longer you are in this
relationship the more joy and richness of spirit you will discover.
Need for God; relationship with God; proceed in your
faith under these ideas. From here, the theological concepts, the preaching,
and other modes of experiencing discipleship will enhance your walk with the
Lord.
[i]
Alister E. McGrath (1988), Justification by Faith, Academie Books:
Zondervan Publishing House (Grand Rapids, MI), p. 11.
