Pastor Timothy Keller continues his discussion of four ways to experience a feast that correspond to ways the gospel message of Jesus shapes our lives in Chapter 7 of The Prodigal God.
3. Salvation is individual. Just as we must regularly eat and drink to survive and grow physically, in order to grow spiritually we must appropriate the grace of God, making it more central to every part of our lives. Belief, however, is only the beginning. Martin Luther once observed that religion is the default mode of the heart. Even after our conversion by the Holy Spirit, we habitually and instinctively look to other things (aka “idols”) for temporal satisfaction. We must, the author notes, repeatedly and intentionally set our hearts to gospel-mode.
When we rely on “counterfeit gods” we’ll be driven to a great degree, Pastor Keller states, “by fear, anger, and a lack of self-control.” Permanent change happens only when the gospel thoroughly penetrates our understanding and our hearts. Pastor Keller concludes:
“The gospel is therefore not just the ABC’s of the Christian life, but the A to Z of the Christian life.”
Today’s question: How do you intentionally and repeatedly set your heart to gospel-mode during your desert, transition time? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: new Short Meditation, “Pain Management: A Tale of Two Dentists”
