Part Three: Some reflections on the practical outworking of Man-Centered Theology.

“Christ is the head of the Church...that He may in all things have preeminence.”

Col. 1:14-18

As I reflect on the outworking of Man-Centered theology in my local church, my place of ministry for now, there is one question that repeatedly demands my attention:

Does a remedy really exist for this spiritual malady, this leprosy of the soul? 

 

When I refer to Man-Centered Theology, I mean this: making myself the meaning and center, foundation and focus of my Christian life. It is a view of Christianity where the overwhelming focus in teaching and practice is on self; on rule-keeping, outward appearances and performance... whether ‘to please God’, to ‘prove one’s salvation’, or to assure that we ‘make it to heaven.’

This legalistic focus inevitably leads to a system of spiritual bondage and condemnation every bit as harsh as the Mosaic Law in the Old Testament.

John Piper states it well, “Let us not be deceived by outward appearances. Satan “disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14). He keeps his deadliest diseases most sanitary. He clothes his captains in religious garments and houses his weapons in temples. Legalism is a more dangerous disease than alcoholism because it doesn't look like one. Alcoholism makes men fail; legalism helps them succeed in the world. Alcoholism makes men depend on the bottle; legalism makes them self-sufficient, depending on no one. Alcoholism destroys moral resolve; legalism gives it strength. Alcoholics don't feel welcome in the church; legalists love to hear their morality extolled in church.”

I see this so clearly displayed, so often.  Is there truly a cure for this man-centered rot in the church...?

I think there is. It’s God’s Ultimate Remedy, and it’s called the Gospel of Grace. In the Christian life expounded by the apostles it’s called “a Christ-Centered Theology.”

“God’s way of deliverance is altogether different from Man’s way. Man’s way is to try to suppress sin by seeking to overcome it; God’s way is to remove the sinner. Many Christians mourn over their weakness, thinking that if only they were stronger all would be well. The idea that because failure to lead a holy life is due to our impotence, something more is therefore demanded of us, leads naturally to this false conception of deliverance.

...But this is altogether wrong; this is not Christianity. God’s means of delivering us from sin is not by making us stronger and stronger, but by making us weaker and weaker. This is surely a peculiar way of victory, you say; but it is the Divine way. God sets us free from the dominion of sin, not by strengthening our old man, but by crucifying him; not by helping him to do anything but by removing him from the scene of action.” (Watchman Nee)

During Jesus’ life on this earth, He repeatedly directed people’s attention away from their own merits and efforts, toward Himself and God’s promises to those who simply believed in Him. “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in me will have life eternally. Do you believe this?” (Jn.11:25)

 

The writers of the New Testament also directed the daily focus of Christians’ belief and practice to Christ again and again. “I live this life because of the faithfulness of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal.2:20) “Paul knows that Grace is a potent brew, and so in Romans 6 he anticipates the objection that is running around in the minds of thousands of evangelical preachers. “Shall we continue to sin that grace may abound?” In other words, how can we be sure people will live the way they’re supposed to if this grace thing is as a good of a deal as it appears to be?? What a great opening for a chapter on all the things we HAVE to do to really, really, really be serious Christians. Get ready to take notes!

Instead, we get a list of the miraculous accomplishments of grace, all done by Christ, for us, outside of us and in the past, accompanied by an expanded admonition to “consider yourselves dead to sin, and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Yes, I know he says to “yield yourselves” to God, which sounds like good works, but keep reading. “...As men who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under Grace.”

Ahem. In other words, the entire sixth chapter of Romans says act like God has graciously done everything necessary for your salvation and you can’t do anything to save yourself. Grace, not legalism, not works, is the great motivator of the Christian life. Every appeal in Romans 6 is based on what God has done that we cannot do, and the greatest obedience flows from the grace of God.

The reason for this is clear. Grace magnifies the Giver. It’s not that obedience has no capacity to magnify God. It does - IF it comes from hearts ravished by Grace, and not from the accounting department.” (Michael Spencer)
 

It is grace at the beginning, and grace at the end. 

So that when you and I come to lie upon our death beds, the one thing that should comfort and help and strengthen us there is the thing that helped us in the beginning.
 
Not what we have been, not what we have done, but the Grace of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.
 
The Christian life starts with grace, it must continue with grace, it ends with grace. Grace wondrous grace.

By the grace of God I am what I am. Yet not I, but the Grace of God which was with me.
(D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

(to be continued...)