Universal Questions and the Gospel

“God has two sanctuaries; he has two heavens: the heaven of heavens and a broken spirit.”

Richard Sibbes

Last Sunday’s sermon we discussed what could be considered humanity’s universal question, “What must we do to do the works that God requires?” (John 6:28, NIV) This is the question that the Jews ask Jesus. It is a question that appears repeatedly, especially among those seeking salvation:

• “And behold, a man came up to him, saying, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’” (Matt. 19:16)
• “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37)
• “He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’” (Acts 16:30)

The answer always looks something like this, repent and believe, believe, believe in the one whom he has sent, etc. Gospel answers never attach works to the work that only Christ can and did accomplish. When God justifies the sinner, he allows no work, like baptism, church membership, financial contributions, etc. to contribute to the sinner’s justification. It is Christ’s life and work alone, that saves the sinner. To attach a work to the cross is to rob God of glory. Consider the parable of the lost son, which captures a glorious moment, the repenting sinner returning to God the Father:

¹⁷“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! ¹⁸I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. ¹⁹I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ ²⁰And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. ²¹And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ²²But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. ²³And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. ²⁴ For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15, ESV, emphasis mine)

The prodigal son returns to the father and the closing phrase, “treat me as one of your hired servants,” captures his humility and desire to serve. When he returns and begins to make his confession, the father cuts him off and won’t let him complete it by saying, “treat me as one of your hired servants.” Why? Let me offer a few possible reasons:

1. The reason that I held to for so long was simply that he was the father’s son and no other position would be acceptable. We, too, are also to remember our great standing with the Father. We are now his children by adoption.
2. Here is another reason, the father would allow no work to be attached to the gracious gift of being restored to his position within the family. The father would tolerate no “doing” from the returned prodigal and so remove the ability of the son to think he had earned this restored position.
3. And finally, the returning prodigal should not think of himself as a servant who earns restoration or salvation because this usurps the position of Christ. It is Jesus Christ, who as the Father’s model servant humbly gave himself to save us.

Have you trusted Christ? Have you abandoned all ideas that you must work to accomplish your salvation? Trust in Christ and Christ alone. Have a blessed week and we will see you fairly soon.

Love in Christ,

Pastor Dale

(writing from cloudy Massachusetts)