FiloLogos777 and Michial, I agree with the heart of what you are saying. The article was slightly overstated. The II Peter passage, along with Paul's call to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, are sufficient to make the point. BUT, people THINK they know their riches in Christ if they have read the verses or heard the sermon. But God wants us steeped in them from the top of our head to the tips of our toes, knowing them intimately, like we know our wife, and then we are ready to embrace the work of sanctification, which is mainly resting in His sufficiency, moment by moment as we obey.
By the way, "reckoning" is not a transitive verb! Most people use it that way when they talk about Romans 6:11. It just means to acknowledge the facts! We are dead to sin and alive in Christ far beyond what most of our reformed brethren have yet acknowledged. I'm tempted to say, "Too much about justification and not enough about regeneration," but that can never be, so I'll just say we need a lot more on regeneration, and to let Paul say what he really says about being IN Christ. "Positional" is a human invention to avoid embracing what Paul really says in Romans 6-8! IMHO.

[...] The Gift Of Self-Forgetfulness – Tullian Tchividjian. [...]

FioLogos777-you are correct. The NT is replete with calls to mortification and vivification, reckoning ourselves dead unto sin and alive to Christ. Counting true by faith what God declares is true positionally by His action, imputation and promise. Paul begins every epistle-like Ephesians with the first half (chapters 1-3)declaring the indicative and the last few chapters(Ch 4-6) as the imperative. He doesn't camp out at the indicative, or go back to it with every exhortation or sentence regarding Christian behavior. I heard Tullian recently say its wrong to end sermons with application(biblical imperatives), but that is exactly how Paul structures all of his God inspired letters, and to do so is not ignoring the gospel or somehow creating a so-called law-gospel-law as falsely accused, but rather it was the method of all the NT writers, and exhibits the glories and fullness of the gospel biblically. Show me biblically, not theologically or systematically where I am incorrect. Blessings.

Hmm..."For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ
For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall" (II Peter 1:5-10).

Actually I see A LOT of "naval gazing" in Biblical Christianity, not the kind you're talking about though. Sin in our lives ought to make us weep and desire to repent and be more holy, yet a true believer will keep on looking to CHRIST ALONE, yet will not take his shortcomings lightly! If you're a new creation sin will be more visible to you then it had ever been! I appreciate the Reformed view of giving glory to God alone but let's preach the WHOLE COUNSEL of God and not the TRADITIONS that fancy us, man is responsible too. Luther and Calvin were just men whom I respect but the Scripture stands above them. I'd like to see in the future a more BALANCED Scriptural response to Sanctification.

I couldn't agree more! Self analysis is an analysis of what you have done, are doing, and might do....Has (or will) any Christian satisfy God outside of Christ?

[...] Tchividjian,“The Gift of Self-Forgetfulness” Like this:Like [...]

[...] Tchividjian, “The Gift of Self-Forgetfulness” Like this:Like [...]

Adam,
...for short.
You wrote about being "spiritual"...
Actually, most churches want us to serve and act and work and PHEW! It's the same in Germany, too. But if I consider the bible teaching about being "spiritual", I will read something completely different:

"You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you." (Rom 8,9)

Hi Steve,

I'm young and have lots to learn, but, although off topic (considering the post), I think the Lutheran arguments for the presence of Christ in the sacraments is an extension of some of the RC mystery. ; ) I would rather just say I don't understand it than come up with some argument that really makes no sense. Don't get me wrong. I'm a Luther fan. But, cobsubstantiation makes very little sense, and it's too bad Luther wasn't willing to compromise more on that, so that unity in the gospel could have been had between the German and Swiss reformations.

But, I do like your last comment, on a good note (Unity!). My sister was at a very large church for a while. And, although unbelievably solid (a great place to be), they often got caught up in do, do, do! If you weren't spending every minute of your life cramming in some kind of singles or church ministry, you must not have been spiritual.

Not out of laziness, but I am glad that the Lord calls us to rest in Him. Especially knowing how weak I am.

Resting in Grace...

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11,28)

Rest in the Lord. To so many in the church that is a dirty word.

But it is true. That is what He wants us to do. Then we are free to go out and live for the neighbor.

David,
the thoughts you articulated are very, very profound...
I read them over and over again and I am convinced you've just answered your deepest questions by yourself. On that score I only want to share some ideas that came into my mind
1) about the LAW
When I ponder on what I have to do or not to do as a Christian and I begin to feel dissatisfied with all the MUSTS in my life I know how this will end, if I ignore the current uneasiness. It has always been the beginning of a crisis which culminated in a mental breakdown. Unfortunately, I made this painful experience more than once until I came to know better
2) about His GRACE
Through long-term self-observation I know what Jesus wants me to do when I don't feel like doing anything "good" for Him, for others,...
The reason for discontent most often is that I have neglected myself in the triangle between God, me and my neighbors. It is not selfish at all when I take care of my own needs, too. And this often means:
"If possible, cut yourself off from any activity you hate at the moment and recover!"
The mystery of the Gospel lies in the fact that I am loved unconditionally. I don't have to do anything to be "good" because I am bad. HE is good, that's enough. I am justified by faith and grace.
What really sets me free is the experience that Jesus loves me no matter what I think all about me and my works and failures. And He always gives the rest and peace to me I was longing for, not forgetting His overwhelming love that enables me to love others as myself (Luke 10,27) freely and willingly again after having made a good recovery.
Praise the Lord, HE is always the one and only answer to all my questions.

David, best wishes and God bless!!!

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11,28)

James,
thanks for your reply. You have been absolutely right that I didn't know John F. MacArthur at all until you mentioned him. Sorry, would have been an interesting exchange of ideas.
Concerning Best I must confess that I'm very often a "Google Books Reader". You surely know that some elder books esp. from earlier times can be read there completely and some modern ones only in excerpts. I read little of him but it hit me deep inside.
As for your last sentences about the quality of God's living word I always think that it's not only the written or spoken one but also Jesus Christ Himself (Rev 1,16 and 2,12) who sometimes can be very strict, too. Having sinned I often feel this burning fire inside of my heart and I begin to tremble in light of the fear of God.
Love and godliness always go together, otherwise I go out the window

God bless, James!

Susanne Schuberth (Germany)
Greetings sister Susanne, Thank you for your comment and forgive me for a long absence. I was attracted to a scripture verse by a frequent replier here by (Paul,st Paul not sure) and did some research on the site and was amazed at the wealth of his commentaries in fact they sent me all his books and have been evaluating and am finding most acceptable,(so far) being a long time John MacArthur follower I find in these blogs not many that don't lean in that direction have much good to say of him but then again I don't know what you if at all know of him can understand my point.Nonetheless at this point I don't see any conflict though I see "Best" a bit more in depth at a slower pace which I find myself in a parallel study but hopingly not burdensome.God's word is alive and powerful and sharper then any two edged sword,...You know and IS a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart...We (I) go with that.

Susanne and also Steve,

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my post. I really appreciated what you said and how you said it. What you said helped me to think about things more clearly. Amen to Matthew 11:28! Very comforting. God bless!

Michial,

Repentance is also done for us by God.It is not a work that 'we do'. You seem to think that Jesus is not actually in something that he commands us to 'do'.

Well, He is in it. Romans 6 speaks to the death of the old sinner and the new life occuring IN BAPTISM.

1st Peter also speaks of baptism and says that "it now saves you".

Not that baptism is a 'ticket in'. It is not, because we can and do walk away from it and it's promises. But those promises are still good and valid all throughout our lives. This is why Luther said that "we should return to our baptisms daily".

God bless you, as well, Michial!

G'nite.

He didn't command anything in conjunction with Himself speaking about the vine, etc. But he did say, "do this" and he did say that if you do not eat my body and drink my blood then you have no life in you." "This IS my body" "this IS my blood".

Also, notice the order in Matthew 28. What comes before teach and Himself?

Thanks Tullian. Do we like Luther go back to our baptism every day? Why dont you speak like Luther does there? Thanks again.

Hey Adam! Thanks for the question. The concern raised by your friend's friend is understandable because for a long time some have concluded that justification is step one and sanctification is step two and that once we get to step two there’s no reason to go back to step one. Sanctification, in other words, is commonly understood as progress beyond the initial step of justification. But while justification and sanctification are to be clearly separated theologically, the Bible won’t allow us to separate them essentially and functionally.

Contrary to the assumption of your friends pastor, sanctification is NOT the process of moving beyond the reality of our justification but rather moving deeper into the reality of our justification. If sanctification could be likened to our responsibility to swim, justification is the pool we swim in. Justification and sanctification go together. As G. C. Berkouwer wisely remarked, “The heart of sanctification is the life which feeds on justification.” Sanctification feeds on justification, not the other way around. This is why in his Lectures on Romans Martin Luther wrote, “To progress is always to begin again.” Real spiritual progress, in other words, requires a daily going backwards. We are to work at fighting the sin that so easily entangles us and robs us of our freedom by fleeing to the finished work of Christ every day.

Sanctification, as someone once put it, is not something added to justification. It is, rather, the justified life.

I hope this helps.

So is He is a leafy vine and a wooden door and a literal ladder too? To be consistent he must be. Is there any place for figurative language? Or is it us not wanting to believe the Lord because its too hard for us to believe. No. He said he'd reign for a 1000 years in Rev 20. I think the Lutherans join with us reformed that that is figurative. Just because we don't believe he meant that literally doesn't make it an empty ritual. ANything the Lord institutes is wonderful and full of great meaning. He is not physically present in prayer, but spiritually by His SPirit. Is prayer an empty ritual then? I don't want to replay the colloquy at Marburg. We just disagree on figures of speech and what should and should not be taken literally per the many genres used in the Bible. But what should unite us both is our love for the Lord and our desire to want to honor him and glorify him. We both love the gospel of grace and that is awesome. God bless you Steve.

I should say Pastor Tullian. Sorry. ;)

Tullian...

If you see this, I was wondering if you might respond to this later. I have a friend whose friend is a pastor (Make sense?). But, this friend, Pastor Mike, has a site in which he says that, in your book (Jesus + Nothing = Everything), you have blurred the line between justification and sanctification to a detrimental level. I'm not agreeing, but I understand wanting to be discerning, even with a pastor we respect as much as Tullian. ;) Just wondering if you had any thoughts. I realize you can't respond to every criticism. Just thought I'd throw it out there.

Sure repentance is a gift. Its a gift that enables you to repent. 1 Pet 3 peter goes out of his way to qualify the statement, "not the washing away of filth from the body" ie not the h2o. To say these things is no rejection of monergism. Saying you can walk away from the eternal life He has sealed you with until the day of redemption is a denial of monergism.

He said "this IS my body", "this IS my blood".

And then He commanded us to do that empty religious ritual because He had nothing else to do at the time.

I believe in the incarnation and whatever the God says. Ive read many of the Lutheran arguments for years as i wanted to be one but I think Jesus was plainly using figurative language like when he said Iam the vine, etc. When He held the bread in His hands and said this is my body the disciples understood genres in language and knew his literal hand was not holding another body in the bread. My conviction isnt because I reject miracles or am unwilling to believe the Lord but based upon the exegesis that seems more correct I dont hold the Lutheran view. I dont pray to a leafy vine or a wooden door nor do i eat and drink physical flesh and blood. Jesus in jn 6 at the end even corrected those who thougjt he was speaking literally abd he said his words were to be taken spiritually. Just a disagreement on legitimate interpretation brother. Lets agree to disagree.

I find it odd that some people are adamant that Jesus is alive and active and living in their heart...but yet many of those same folks deny that Jesus could be present in a bowl of water accompanied by His Word of promise.

Very odd, indeed.

Michial,

You have it wrong, my friend.

Ist Peter most certainly is speaking about water baptism. That is pretty much all that is meant in the New Testament when baptism is discussed. That's what baptism is. But it is NOT water only, as Luther said about it. It is God's Word attached to the water.

Baptism is not an mere symbol of your commitment or seriousness. God actually does something in baptism. That is why Peter makes sue to say, "baptism now saves you"...you can count on it because YOU are not the one who does it, like washing dirt off of yourself...but God washes your heart...gives you the Holy Spirit...not because of what YOU DO...but in spite of it.

When God commands us to do something...He shows up in it. Period.

Will we ever tire of wedging ourselves into this equation?

I think not. We just can't leave well enough alone.

[...] thoughts on this: The Gift of Forgetfulness (via Ben) It's all about Jesus Christ, in the end. I hope this site blesses [...]

I appreciate this article and all the discussion. I do agree with the article and yet, I have such a hard time articulating the way a Christian in light of the Gospel should live out there life. Could someone help me to see if I have this right, or perhaps communicate it in a way more clearly than my attempt to express it below. Here are my thoughts:

Would it be safe to say in light of the Gospel, for a Christian there are two common mistakes we tend to make. The first is to think because Christ does it all we no longer need to worry about and commit to doing good works. The second being, as a Christian, thinking "I" need to read the Bible every day, "I" need to do such and such thing to grow in my faith and walk with God, and "I" need to go to church every week. The problem with both of these being the individuals attitude focused on themselves and as the article stressed, being more focused on being a Christian than on Christ, the relationship with God. For the first mistake the attitude is now "I" can do whatever "I" want and still be saved, and the second, "I" need to do what God wants me to do which means in order to be a faithful Christian "I" need to do these things. "I" know I am saved regardless of good works, but the commission leads me to do these things as a Christian.

The right approach appears to be the most difficult that we trip over and will trip over every day of our lives. It is when we surrender (allowed to do so by the Holy Spirit), and as the Bible says, seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and keep our eyes focused not on ourselves but first God and then our neighbor.

I believe what is confusing and personally boggles my mind is the results of the right approach from an outward look appear similar to the other two mistakes at times. Focusing on Christ and our neighbor it is natural we go to his Word, attend church every week, and do good towards our neighbor. However at times we need to be disciplined and drag ourselves out of bed when were physically tired to make it to church sometimes. Sometimes it is that discipline to seek the Lord in the second mistake that allows us to understand the biblical approach to this topic.

Why I find this so important, is in preaching (currently student in seminary), I admit in struggling with how to communicate this on the pulpit. Feels like such a paradox. We proclaim the Gospel first, and not disregard sanctification, yet it is so hard not to make sanctification come across as something Christians should do, without giving strength to that second mistake.

Seeking help to articulate and curious about others thoughts. Thanks a bunch! It is wonderful and liberating to read this article.

I agree. And thanks for the answer. That helps a lot. I enjoyed seeing your testimony on YouTube (oh, the wonder of YouTube), especially as I have seen how hard I can fall within this past year. God's grace is enough. I would love to talk to you sometime. Come by Indiana. : ) Thanks pastor.

How does all of the above (which I agree with) harmonize with the Presbyterian's understanding of baptism? The following is from Coral Ridge Presbyterian:

What does baptism accomplish then? It brings us into a covenant with God—for we are baptized “into the name” of Christ. Baptism binds us to the church; it is not merely a personal inward testimony, but a commitment to holy living and work with the church. See Acts 2:41 - to be “baptized” was to be “added to their number.” To be baptized is to commit to a holy life (Gal. 3:27). It brought into a legal accountability relationship. It bound you to a) obey the word and b) worship and work with God's people.

There is much different language here. I don't read "it's not about you, it's not about your labour". I read "commitment to holy living", "work with the church", "legal accountability", "bound to obey", "bound to worship and work".

right on! I wrote a similar blog on it, didn't know if anyone would like to check it out--it talks about how we can truly love people--which is a direct result of self-forgetfulness produced by sanctification.

http://gospelfocus289.wordpress.com/2011/09/05/what-does-it-mean-to-love/

[...] Tchividjian, read more here GA_googleAddAttr("AdOpt", "1"); GA_googleAddAttr("Origin", "other"); GA_googleAddAttr("LangId", [...]

Steve. That position is compelling at first look. Romans 6 follows Romans 4&5 where Paul said were justified by faith alone. He even illustrated Abraham was before he received the sign of the covenant, which baptism is now its replacement sign. So in Rom 6 Paul says as many of US as were ... The US are those already justified by faith before the sign.

Gal 3 is the same. The verse before the one yoy quoted says were sons of God by faith in Christ. Context is important.

Acts 2 repentance implies faith. Faith and repentance precede the sign. Baptism is not the cause but the sign after faith/ repentance.

James,

your reference to W.E. Best is great because his points take the biscuit. Here's another but short quotation:
"Christ's redemptive work is absolutely perfect and finished - Godward - so that He is the propitiation for our sins, but its application to our bodies remains to be accomplished."
(W.E. Best, "The Impeccable Christ", p. 76)

Rick,

Not being a Presbyterian, I am unable to answer your questions.

But I do have a pretty good idea what the Scriptures say about Holy Baptism. Romans 6 describes it as a dying with Christ, and then being raised with Christ.

Also, in Galatians, Paul says that "those who have been baptized have put on Christ."

And Acts 2:38 tells us that in baptism we receive the forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit.


Our commitments to God are weak, for the most part. But His commitment to us, in baptism, is not. It is steady and sure.

Just a couple of thoughts.

Steve Martin
I believe in a representation (not a representation) of the body and blood of Jesus Christ as the evangelical Anglicans. Wherein The Eucharist or Communion is recieved in a heavonly and spiritual manner receiving Christs' presence by faith. As explained in the book of Common Prayer(Episcopal)

Yeeeee haaaaaww! Free at LAST!

Pastor Tullian,
after reading your post once again carefully, I've got an additional idea at that.
The first of the beatitudes "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5,3) means in effect that those who need God essentially because they are absolutely helpless without Him, these ones should be blessed (or even blissful).
The Apostle Paul expressed this basic blessing in other words:
"It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." (Galatians 2,20)
Getting totally rid of ourselves is equivalent to the emptyness of our human spirit which is to be filled with His Holy Spirit.
"...but be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5,18)
God bless

I hope this is true! Please let it be true...

[...] Tchividjian continues to be one of my favorite reads lately.  The following comes from him and his blog at the gospel coalition. Contrary to what we have typically heard (and been enslaved by), Christian growth is not becoming [...]

Brandon E.,

I'm not quite sure that I understood the basic facts you accurately and pellucidly explained, because my knowledge of English is insufficient (I'm sorry!), but I want to point out one thing.
Sometimes it seems to me that there are contradictions in the way I think and believe compared with other ways of thinking and believing. For a time I try to comprehend what others might have meant and after "intensive mind-struggling" seeming dichotomies frequently dissolve.
What do I mean?
To become a Christian is not only a matter of a date to be set but a day by day growth as you mentioned appropriately. Growing from day to day means increasing self-knowledge and increasing divine knowledge as well.
Perhaps it's possible to divide this livelong process in successive phases. At first you feel redeemed and happy for years and you think you got it all. But suddenly a genuine fear of God grabs hold of you and shakes you thoroughly, thus you realize: "I'm the greatest sinner of all!"
You can see the power of God's perfect and holy law that condemns you to hell and puts you to death. This is indeed a horrible experience, the so-called "dark night of the soul" (Juan de la Cruz, Spain, 16th century).
But soon afterwards the Lord enlightens and revitalizes these "dead bones" and the resurrection (in the spirit) happens. Then you will know what grace is all about. These people never want to sin again and begin to hate sin ultimately, because God has put His law in their hearts (Jer 31, 33-34, Hebr 8,10 and Hebr 10,16).

Briefly, I cannot see any contradictions in what Tullian said compared with other entries. But that's only my humble opinion.
God bless you

Good points, Brandon.

Thanks be to God for St. Paul!

And when he says that "He will bring to completion that which He started..."it is a wonderful way of reminding us that God is the One who is in charge of our growth. We can no more choose to grow than we could when we were children.

When one does focus on their growth they do not grow, but become inward.

So, as you say, focus on Christ and what He has done, is doing, and will yet do. And then we can relax in the Lord and live outwardly..for the neighbor...freely.

So thankful for you and the help you have been to my growth in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. I have been teaching this message now for 4 years in a small fellowship in Texas and it is so encouraging to know that this gospel revolution is filling the earth "with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea" (Habakkuk 2:14). I consider you a Pastor and look forward to meeting you one day. Many of our group are enjoying your books. Thanks again!

I appreciate the main point of the post, "the gift of self-forgetfulness." Another way to express it is that Christian growth and sanctification is to be lost in Jesus.

All of us need to hear the main point of this post again and again, but I also think that this post presents some false dichotomies. Looking away unto Jesus, being utterly dependent upon Him and spiritual maturity is not simply a matter of contemplating or depending upon His alien righteousness outside of us. The Lord Jesus also indwells the believer as their life and content (Col. 1:26-28; Col. 3:4; Gal. 2:20, 4:19; Eph. 3:14-17), resulting, as we grow in Him and He in us (Col. 2:19; Eph. 4:15-16; 1 Pet. 2:2), in a kind of subjective righteousness (Gal. 5:22-25; 2 Pet. 1:3-11; Matt. 5:14-16) that is not a matter of our independent sufficiency, strength or improvement but of Christ living in us and with us that we might live out Christ. Of course, this subjective righteousness does not justify us, but it does express (glorify/magnify) Christ. God is not interested merely in redeeming and justifying us so that we won't go to hell. He desires that Christ would be expressed in His Body. Even His predestinating us is not simply for us to be justified as an end in itself but that we would be "conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brothers" (Rom. 8:29). For this reason, the apostle Paul could speak of making Christ the focus of His pursuit, not only in terms of what Christ had already done outside of of him but in terms of what he had yet to gain of Christ: "Not that I have already obtained or am already perfected, but I pursue, if even I may lay hold of that for which I also have been laid hold of by Christ Jesus./Brothers, I do not account of myself to have laid hold; but one thing I do: Forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forward to the things which are before" (Phil. 3:7-15), "I therefore run in this way... lest perhaps having preached to others, I myself may become disapproved" (1 Cor. 9:24-27).

A person who is actually and practically being transformed from one degree of glory to another by beholding and being saturated with the glory of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18) can hardly take credit for their gradual transformation into His image, any more than someone can take credit for being "gospel-centered" as if how gospel-centered they are all depends on them. Both, genuinely experienced in the Spirit, make us more experimentally dependent upon Christ and more fearful of what we are in our flesh apart from Him, not less.

Even Christians who believe their salvation is eternally secure and do not base the assurance of their salvation on their good works or victories over sins spontaneously desire to grow spiritually. I believe this longing is divinely implanted; it's not a bad thing, something to negate or ignore. And it doesn't automatically make anyone less Christ-centered. It's simply to desire to know Christ not only for our justification but in our living and inward being. The problem of self-pride or self-condemnation, as this post points out, is when the desire to grow becomes self-focused and performance-based rather than Christ focused and Christ-based. But I believe that the real, intrinsic and underlying issue is not simply that Christians don't focus on external righteousness in Christ enough. The way that some Christians speak about this as if it were the single, defining issue according to which someone is Christ-focused or self-focused would require them to give the apostle Paul a lecture for speaking of being "determined, whether at home or abroad, to gain the honor of being well pleasing to Him" (2 Cor. 5:9).

I believe that the real, intrinsic and underlying issue is also when the only concept of "growth" that Christians have is that of law-keeping, and not of gaining Christ. Gaining Christ and growing in Him is an organic process. Like human growth, it's normal, steady, little by little, day by day, not an overnight transformation. No one would blame an infant for not being able to walk, talk, read, write, play piano, or drive a car overnight. No one would condemn an infant for not growing properly because they are sick. The law, on the other hand, always condemns. It makes not the Person of Christ--known, experienced and enjoyed by us--the standard but an external code of right and wrong. Because it is so easy to judge and condemn ourselves and others, and others to judge and condemn us by external codes of conduct, we develop concepts, hopes and expectations of how quickly the conformity of our human righteousness to the demands of the law would take place. And this concept of Christian growth is centered on the development of our own human righteousness according to an external standard (albeit with the Spirit's help), rather than Christ saturating our inner being that he He may live in and overflow out of us, it is that much easier to fall into pride for any apparent improvement or self-condemnation for failures. And, thanks be to God! The gospel not only announces that Christ has freed us from the law's condemnation, but announces "the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ." (Col. 1:27). Christ is everything, not only for justification outside of us but as our life inside of us that we may be presented mature in Him.

Pastor
another great read thanks. Please pray for us we're singing in a combined choir at St. Lukes' Cathedral in Orlando.

After years of steadily increasing in attendance and in the number of ministries, aka outreach, the church I attend began to change from seeking God to working for him. As a result, both numbers in attendance and participation in outreach declined. As a solution to the decrease the leadership decided to focus on personal growth. A 10 week study was written, published and distributed to the people to help them clean up, get holy and spur them on to growth and participation. Measuring your personal spiritual growth and working out a plan of action (Bible Study, prayer, Group membership and serving) were all presented as the means to grow. However, when I attempted to grow spiritually by using this study, I felt condemned and confused and so,I abandoned it. I felt guilty for not being able to participate in the church's plan which they said was from God or the catch phrase for all new endeavors is this is "what God wanted." I'm about 3 books into the 26 books mentioned in "Jesus + Nothing = Everything" and finding that freedom from condemnation doesn't rest in my performance for God. I'm still attending the church which seems to want to measure, measure and measure again all the good work that is done in God's name, only now, I am beginning to see the Gospel triumph over the measuring and I don't condemn myself for not measuring up to this church's performance standards. Hope that makes sense. It's hard to explain the change. Oh and the result of the focus being on spiritual growth and performance for God, has been the lowest attendance and participation in 15 years. So, the church, convinced it's study is the solution to "poor performance" simply presents it again and again. It's like guilt upon guilt instead of grace upon grace. Thanks Tullian for writing, teaching and preaching the Gospel.

Believers stand between Christ’s two statements: “It is finished”
and “It is done” (John 19:30; Rev. 21:6). The latter statement does not occur until all things are made new (Rev. 21:5). We stand between the finished work of Calvary and making all things new.

The completed and incompleted works of Jesus Christ point to an important truth in the lives of God’s people. The Christian’s standing in Jesus Christ is finished: “THEREFORE being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). He is positionally secure because he had nothing to do with his standing. His standing in Christ is wholly of God. Nevertheless, the Christian’s condition of life is unfinished. His state is imperfect. Therefore, he must work out his own salvation, which God has worked in him, with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12- 13). He must add to his faith, which is God’s gift (II Pet. 1:1-11). Christ’s work and the believer’s work will both be consummated. The completion of Christ’s work will occur after He
has made all things new: “...Behold, I make all things new...It is done...” (Rev. 21:5-6)... W.E.Best

Great post.
Reminds me of another great Oswald Bayer quote:

"What are our lives directed toward? This is the decisive point. It is decisive in the controversy of Luther’s theology with Roman Catholicism and the Pietism about that which has been called – differing from Luther’s own theology – the question of relating justification and sanctification. To what do we look? May we and can we look away from ourselves and solely at Christ? Or do we look back at ourselves as made anew, seeking to monitor ourselves in the growth of faith and love, in the new obedience, in the progress we make, even in the sanctification that is said to follow after justification? When we are blessed by God and born anew, do we seek to feel the pulse of our faith? Doing this is a dangerous displacement that leads us away from the Reformation understanding of faith. The moment we turn aside and look back at ourselves and our own doings instead of at God and God’s promise, at that moment we are again left alone with ourselves and with our own judgement about ourselves. We fall back into all the uncertainty of the defiant and despairing heart that looks only to self and not to the promise of God. That is why it is so important to take note of the means or medium by which justifying faith comes."

The finished and unfinished works of Jesus Christ include the following things: (1) His work as Redeemer is finished, but His work as Restorer will remain unfinished until the perfection of every elect person. (2) Christ’s work as Saviour at the cross is finished, but His work as Sustainer is unfinished. Those who have been reconciled to Christ are saved or sustained by the living Christ (Rom. 5:10). “Saved” is added to “saved.” (3) His work as Atoner is finished, but His work as Advocate is unfinished. Provision is made for the sinning believer (I John 2:1). (4) Christ’s work as Sanctifier is both finished and unfinished. The elect are positionally sanctified at regeneration, progressively sanctified in their Christian lives, and shall be ultimately sanctified in the presence of Jesus Christ. (5) The Saviour’s work of putting away sin “from” the believer is finished, but His work of putting away sin from “within” the believer is unfinished. Sin was judicially put away from the elect in the death of Jesus Christ. Sin is put away from within the believer by Christ’s living at the right hand of the Father and the Holy Spirit’s living within the believer. (6) Christ’s dying to destroy sin’s penalty in the elect of God is finished, but His living to destroy sin’s power over him is unfinished.

paul st.,

God bless you. It is something to be taken seriously.

Jesus himself said, "If you do not eat my body or drink my blood then you have no life in you."

That's serious language.

WORD!

Steve Martin
I agree with you concerning the Lords' supper. It is not at all an empty ritual in my belief. It is a sacred sacrament and I take it very seriously.

We (Lutherans) don't know how Christ is present in the bread and the wine...just that He is.

He never commanded us to do anything where He wouldn't be present in it...for us. Our Lord was not 'into empty religious rituals'.

I never pass up a chance to set my brothers and sisters in Christ straight when it comes to the Lord's Supper. :D

It's much better to have faith in Christ, than to have faith in faith. Hence, the assurance given (as free gift) in the Sacraments. Something tangible
that comes to us, from God...from outside of ourselves.

It's really an awesome gift. I'm not out to make more Lutherans, but for others to recognize this great gift of assurance that helps to keep us off the religious rat wheel.

Pastor Tullian,

it's so true that self-forgetfulness is a gift from God. Neither am I able to forget my SELF nor am I capable to look at Jesus all the time in order to forget myself eventually, for apart from him I can do nothing (John 15,5).
This is not so bad after all, we'd rather could settle back, let Jesus do what he wants to do inside of us and RELAX.

God bless...

Oh oh, Tullian is listening to Lutheran public radio and Issues Etc. with Todd. Soon he will be quoting the book of concord, and adopting the physical presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Lol

Got your book this weekend, can't wait to start it, will later today! God bless!

Thanks for the post.

Self is the problem, so it can't be the solution. The gospel *works* because it gets us out of ourselves. That's the point; that's the entire point.

As a person who strives to live a life of service and works towards social justice, I appreciate your call to focus on others and outwards acts of faith.

However, I disagree with your assertion that to look after our own needs is narcissistic. On the contrary, I have found in my work as a counselor that those who become the most depressed are those who deny their own needs.

In faith, as with many things, there is a balance necessary between outward and inward focus. We cannot give to others if we are not filling ourselves as well- physically, spiritually, emotionally.

The type of faith you are talking about here seems to neglect the bodies and souls God gave us, and I fear would lead to a hollow and even self-righteous faith and service at times- ie, people believing they can fill the needs of others but don't have any needs themselves.

We do have needs, needs that God created in us, and it's important to be aware of those needs and introspective enough to work out our faith in how we take care of our bodies spiritually and emotionally. If we are constantly focusing on others, we have no "selves" to offer them.

Again, I did enjoy your article, and agree with much of what you said. I just don't think it's as simple as only doing for others. We are more complex than that. We can't love our neighbors as we love ourselves, if we do not love ourselves...

brother W.G.T.T., you hit the nail on the head.
The two main problems in present day Christianity are 'navel gazing' which is much encouraged by our Western style worship services and 'small group' Bible studies. The second problem is the "let go - let God' syndrome, which presents itself as 'faith in Christ' but abandons all responsibility for personal spiritual understanding and growth.
God's sovereignty and personal responsibility are the two doctrinal truths we must hold to throughout our lives.

Enjoyed the article - I'm the guy in your first paragraph!
Love in Him,
don

Terry,
you're absolutely right!
Stating that Jesus for example enables me to forgive and forget my deepest trauma - I never thought that this would be possible, actually I didn't want to forgive at all - leaves me amazed at his power to soften my cold-hearted nature.
I'm deeply grateful that our Lord is so compassionate and always takes my point without condemning me, if I first resist unwaveringly doing what he wants me to do. Jesus knows all my needs and my spiritual abyss. And only he can satisfy all my longings with his deep, deep love.

All glory to him!
God bless you

Terry, I actually think what you said was Tullian's very point, which he makes clear when he references 2 Cor. 13:5 and onward to the end of the post.

Very true that we should not be narcissistically gazing at ourselves for self-improvement signs, or taking our eyes of off Jesus.

However, when it comes to the WORK of God in us, as to our being a new creation, with a new identity in Christ, and a new nature, dead to sin and alive to God through Jesus Christ, it's perfectly biblical to "consider" or "reckon" what He has done IN us, as well as FOR us, and to honor and thank Him for it.

Read Ephesians 2, for one example, and you will see the beautiful blend of what Christ has done, and consequently who and what we now are in our new identity in Christ Jesus.

Should we be given glory for it? Of course not. "What do you have, O man, that you did not receive." All glory should go to Him who did it.

But neither should we ignore what He has done IN and TO us, as well as FOR us.

[...] The Gift of Self-Forgetfulness [...]

[...] In Tullian Tchividjian’s latest book,  Jesus + Nothing = Everything, this subject is explored:  ”The false teachers’ offers of fulfillment outside of Christ may seem reasonable and believable, but they’re nevertheless nothing more than delusions” (pp. 108-9). [...]

[...] Tchividjian wrote another post that I found incredibly helpful and encouraging! It was about the Gift of Self-Forgerfulness. Here are my favorite 2 quotes but go read the whole thing! I’ve said this before but let me say [...]

2 Cor.5:17

The Old Covenant, conditional law (what you must do) is gone.
The New Covenant, unconditional grace (what Christ has done) has come. 2 Cor. 5:17

[...] of Christ! …what we really need is true humility – not self made humility …losing sight of self, gaining sight of Christ …in our efforts, we’re very emotional and not scriptural in [...]

Hi Susanne,
Here's a little something from "Best" enjoy. www.webbmt.org/EnglishBooks.htm, Oh and an answer to your answer (uh)who sometimes can be very strict, too. Remember Whom God loves He chastens. Take it from the voice of experience He must love me extra special (ha ha)Did you know with google translate you can read those books in German if you wish. I use it for my wife who's Vietnamese it's great! bfn

[...] http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2011/12/05/the-gift-of-self-forgetfulness/ Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. This entry was posted in KFD. Bookmark the permalink. ← An Inalienable Right to Grace? [...]

Hi Susanne,
I know it looks like a lot but if you use the pdf instead of the other it's rather comfortable, but only with html can you use the translator.I'll just give you 1 more to give you a little variety as if you don't have enough. gty.org that's John M. site. Ok my friend if there's anything I can do for you I'm a good listener it's been a pleasure. Your friend and mine in Jesus.

Thanks a lot, James!

[...] The Gift Of Self-Forgetfulness by Tullian Tchvidjian [...]

[...] The Gift Of Self-Forgetfulness by Tullian Tchvidjian [...]