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Reading Question 60 this morning from the Heidelberg Catechism and have realized how much I struggle with believing this to be true. This unbelief is the root of my Orphan Mentality and is the basis of so much of my addictive behavior over the years. Here is Question 60 and the corresponding answer. As you read the answer, let the truth of the words sink in.

THIS is what makes the Gospel such a scandal and what we have been called to take to a lost and dying world. It is indeed GOOD NEWS!

Question 60:
How are you righteous before God?

Answer:
Only by true faith in Jesus Christ. Although my conscience accuses me that I have grievously sinned against all God’s commandments, have never kept any of them, and am still inclined to all evil, yet God, without any merit of my own, out of mere grace, imputes to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ. He grants these to me as if I had never had nor committed any sin, and as if I myself had accomplished all the obedience which Christ has rendered for me, if only I accept this gift with a believing heart.

So much of my work in recovery has been silencing my relentless inner critic. I have had to learn to discern my critic’s distinct voice that brings lies and accusations. For so long I felt as if I had already let God down if I was struggling, so it was a foreign concept to invite God into my struggles. Thinking that God had done all of His work when I got saved, my life in Christ was a lonely existence because I felt that I had to wrestle alone with sin. I viewed God with His arms crossed and with a disappointing look on His face watching me to see how many good choices I was making as a “thank you” for saving me. Christianity for me was reduced to moralism or behavioralism rather than a wild-hearted adventure with the Lover of my soul.

Frankly, I blew it often. This led to more shame, and, since I felt God was mad, I retreated to my own means of coping with the pain…Internet pornography and chat rooms. The guilt I felt as a result led to more shame which I also medicated, and so went the cycle of addiction.

I praise God this morning for the scandalous Gospel!

How is your conscious accusing you today?

Preach the Gospel to yourself right now…in this moment. It is TRUE and so very WONDERFUL!

342 Commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.ragamuffinreflections.com%2F2009%2F03%2F31%2Fthe-gospel-is-a-scandal%2FThe+Gospel+is+a+Scandal%212009-03-31+14%3A15%3A00Traylor+Lovvornhttp%3A%2F%2Ftraylorlovvorn.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F31%2Fthe-gospel-is-a-scandal%2F

Anonymous

Thank you Tray, this was much needed today.GG

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