I have been observing the posts of many pastors and churches for the past several weeks (and months and years). And I have observed that there is a great confusion regarding the Gospel.
While there are myriad ways in which this confusion occurs, the way that has become most prevalent in 2024 is confusing things that are good for us with the good news of the Gospel.
It is good for us to develop good habits. It is good for us to have a balanced diet and appropriate amounts of exercise. It is good for us to set lofty goals and persistently train to meet them.
All of these are Law. None of these are Gospel.
The Gospel is good news. The Gospel is what God is doing for us. The Gospel is given to us. The Gospel is unearned, unmerited, undeserved. The Gospel unburdens us, liberates us, gives us rest. The Gospel is Jesus’ incarnation, death, and resurrection.
The Law is a curb, keeping us on the road, preventing us from causing great harm to ourselves or others.
The Law is a guide for us regarding what we should do.
The Law is also a mirror, telling us how we have performed.
I love habit development. James Clear’s Atomic Habits book is truly excellent. Habits are good for us, but they are not good news. Habits are Law. Habits are what we do for ourselves or others. They are a guide. But habits will always be a burden we have to carry, not one Jesus has carried for us.
A balanced diet is good for us, but it is not good news. It is law. A balanced diet is a helpful guide, but it will always be a burden we carry, not one Jesus has carried for us.
As I observe pastors and churches sharing posts about habits and other things that they hope are good for us, I believe they are trying to help people. Trying to motivate people toward things that are good for us. But I also feel that there is a real danger here, a danger in which a burden is being created, a burden that no amount of motivation can lift.
Because the thing about the Law is that its mirror function will always come through. And a mirror for any sinful person accuses them of falling short.
When I miss a day of my habit, I feel terrible about it.
When I do not want to cook or eat another salad and am craving Taco Bell, well, my good-for-me balanced diet becomes quite unbalanced (and covered in Fire Sauce), and I feel terrible about it.
If the solution to this guilt is further burden on me to keep trying harder, then I am trying to be my own Savior. I am trying to save myself from my own shortcomings.
We are not defined by our performance or habits. We are not defined by what we achieve or fail to achieve. We are defined by Jesus. By His performance of death and resurrection for us.
By all means, develop that habit, chase that goal, work hard, eat what is good for you. Do things that are good for you and good for your neighbors.
But when you fall short (and you will), Jesus does not fall short. He has forgiven you. He has made you a new creation. He keeps you so that you can go forth in freedom, unburdened.
Be Curious. Ask Questions.
Andy