This is the Gospel: A Conversation about the Gospel of Grace

My nine year old daughter was learning about the teachings of Buddha and Confucius in her history lesson today. It was easy to see the similarities between them and the Old Testament Proverbs; some of the wise sayings were identical after translation. Puzzled by the fact that these ancient heathens would have such good morals she questioned, "Isn't this just like the gospel?" And so I replied:

Oh no my daughter, this is not just like the gospel. It is however just like the law. You see it is easy for people to see that it is wrong to steal and it is good to be polite and every culture longs for children who obey their parents. But these are rules for us to follow. Whether it was the children of Israel or the people of Asia, following these good rules, perfect rules in fact that are right in any time or culture, no one is saved by these rules. Even Abraham was not saved based on his success in following all of God's instruction. Rather, Abraham had faith and it was credited to him as righteousness. You have learned the catechism question asking, 'what did Christ undertake in the covenant of grace?' The answer is that 'he kept the whole law for his people and paid the penalty due their sin'. Jesus taught that "You have heard it said ,'Do not murder', but I say that if anyone hates his brother he has committed murder in his heart."

This is the gospel: understanding that sin is not simply in our actions that people can see, but it is rooted in our hearts and minds; therefore God's Holy law cannot be kept. Jesus kept it not only in his actions, but even in his heart and mind. Then he paid the full penalty due our sin. This is the gospel. This is grace.

Repent and Believe!