Walter Marshall, in his book: The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification, writes:
“We are all, by nature, void of all strength and ability to perform acceptably that holiness and righteousness which the law requireth … [The] doctrine of original sin, which Protestants generally profess, is a firm basis and ground-work to the assertion now to be proved, and to many other assertions in this whole discourse. If we believe it to be true, we cannot rationally encourage ourselves to attempt an holy practice, until we are acquainted with some powerful and effectual means to enable us to do it … Men show themselves strangely forgetful, or hypocritical, in professing original sin in their prayers, catechisms, and confessions of faith; and yet urging upon themselves and others the practice of the law, without the consideration of any strengthening, enlivening means; as if there were no want of ability, but only of activity.”
Maybe it might be best to ‘translate’ Marshall’s thoughts into language we could more easily grasp or understand.
All of us know that we are brought from the shame of sin to the honor of a beloved child of God by the work of Christ on our behalf. God opens our hearts that we might put our faith and trust in the Gospel of Christ (Ephesians 2)
However, though we know that is by grace and the Gospel that we become members of God’s family, we tend to see the Christian life that follows as our own effort and work to please the Father.
Marshall states that the doctrine of original sin would tell us otherwise. Just as we came into this relationship with the God of the universe by faith, so we live out that relationship by faith. He enables us to believe in Him, and He enables us to live for Him.
If that is true, then it impacts how we live and what we share with other disciples. For example, when we call a disciple to obey God’s Word, we must call them as well to plead with God for the grace to obey.
Would love to hear other examples that might come to your mind
Filed under: Discipleship, Gospel, Grace, Holiness |
Thoughts Along The Journey 
You are sounding similar to Tripp. His comment today on Fear was powerful again. I put this in my new bylines for my emails. Fear in a believer is a function of forgetfulness. To the degree that you forget who God is, who you are as His child, and what you have been given by His grace, fear is your default emotion. Paul David Tripp
Thanks for always encouraging us to live out the Gospel that we have heard, know but so infrequently apply.
Steve
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Better put: Tripp is sounding more and more like Marshall (who wrote in the 1600s). Thanks for sharing this new resource from Tripp.
Example? When someone confesses sin to me I do not condemn but offer presence in sorrow, along with some questions. How is God meeting you? What mercies are you experiencing?
We need to see the malignancy of our sin, our helplessness AND God’s mercy in removing it. Joy for His mercies yields strength for new obedience.
I’m indebted to Bryan Chapell, Holiness by Grace; chapter 3, “Repentance That Sings”.
Thanks Jay for sharing an example. Hopefully, there are others.
God’s amazing grace! Reminds me of the Jerry Bridges quote, “Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.”
I think that was what Marshall was trying to say so many centuries ago and that is still applicable to today.
“We tend to see the Christian life that follows as our own effort and work to please the Father.”
Yesterday we coached a new preacher, a workaholic, after his message on work as worship and having the right attitude towards work (Ephesians 6:5-9). The gospel was blurred by focusing on having the right attitude and doing work as worship rather than on Jesus working in and through us for the glory of God. When we looked through the lens of Jesus at work, gospel focus was regained.
I am awed by God grace and patient work in us to transform our self-centered thinking and behavior in to Christ-centeredness. Thank you Lord!!!
Thanks Albert for sharing a very concrete example.