yet loved, accepted & adopted

"...but more loved and accepted in Christ than we ever dared hope — at the very same time." -Tim Keller

Considering what I wrote yesterday, God's grace is even more impossible to understand. In fact, it seems easier to reject - in some twisted way - because we are so hard-wired to want to work for things. I guess that's the pride our parent's instilled in us.

Keller goes on to write,

This creates a radical new dynamic for personal growth. It means that the more you see your own flaws and sins, the more precious, electrifying, and amazing God’s grace appears to you. But on the other hand, the more aware you are of God’s grace and acceptance in Christ, the more able you are to drop your denials and self-defenses and admit the true dimensions and character of your sin.

It's so true. But one aspect that I'm now really struggling to work with is the implication of grace on my work ethic. If I don't have to earn favour my instinct is to become lazy. University taught me to do as little as possible to get by so I can do other things.

This also creates a radical new dynamic for discipline and obedience. First, the knowledge of our acceptance in Christ makes it easier to admit we are flawed because we know we won’t be cast off if we confess the true depths of our sinfulness. Second, it makes the law of God a thing of beauty instead of a burden. We can use it to delight and imitate the one who has saved us rather than to get his attention or procure his favor. We now run the race “for the joy that is set before us” rather than “for the fear that comes behind us.

Something I need to think about a lot. May this sink into the depths of my heart!

(The quotations come from Keller's study Galatians: Living in Line with the Truth of the Gospel)