Beggar Thief —> Beloved Son

The following comes from McKay Caston’s blog:

The gospel is news, declaration and invitation; not instruction.

As Tim Keller says, “I am more sinful than I could dare to admit, but at the same time, because of my substitute Jesus, I am more forgiven, loved and accepted than I could ever dare to dream.”

The gospel is not religion. Religion says that I am blessed because of my work and sacrifice for God.  The gospel says that I am blessed because of Jesus’ work and sacrifice for me.  Yes, I am saved by works, but not myworks. I am saved by his works… the works of Jesus.

Jesus received the justice for my sin so that I could receive the mercy of God.

The gospel tells me that I am reconciled to God not because of what I do for God, but because of what God has done for me in Jesus.

Reconciliation with God is not something that I achieve. It is something that I receive (through faith alone). Seriously. I receive it like a beggar must accept a gift, with no hope of repayment.

It is a beggar thief being told he is now a beloved son