Why do you think the Gospel doesn’t apply to you?

About a year and a half ago, I started going to counseling. I just thought that I would benefit from getting biblical counseling about some things I was going through, to help me work through some family issues, addiction, and general ministry concerns.

 Regardless of why I went, I really benefitted a lot from lots of things that my counselor said to me. For example, she suggested a coping technique to me of viewing my problem like I do a student asking for advice. Essentially, I ask myself, “if a student came to me and asked what they should do in this situation, what would I say?” She told me that it’s clear that I know the answer most of the time but I get paralyzed by deciding what to do myself, so if I take a step back, then I can view the problem from the outside and hopefully be able to decide how to move forward. That concept changed the way I viewed the despair that I tend to fall into when I’m disappointed or overwhelmed. Anyway, that’s not what this post is about.

Another thing she shared with me, kind of off handedly in response to something I was saying, was this: “Why do you think the Gospel doesn’t apply to you?”

I was flabbergasted. Of course I think the Gospel applies to me. Otherwise I wouldn’t believe it. But subconsciously, I had been acting on the assumption that I was my own savior. That I had to work for my salvation, instead of truly believing the truth that Jesus has already paid the cost. I was despairing over my mistakes and failings instead of resting in the comforting grace of my Father.

I didn’t change overnight. I still don’t perfectly live in the overwhelming grace and mercy of God. But now I catch myself thinking “so the Gospel doesn’t apply to you then?” And my heart responds, “Oh, Jesus, forgive me for trying to save myself.”

What does it mean to live in the grace and truth of the Gospel? It means peace. It means acting in joyful obedience to God’s call for your life, presenting your requests to Him and living Him fully. And oh, how I long for that. And I pray that over each of you.

Peace,

Leah <3