Sincere Faith by Dudley Hall

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. – 1 Timothy 1:5-7 (ESV)

The goal of the gospel is a life of love. God is love, and when someone knows him intimately, they will be consumed by love and express it to those around them. It takes a major transformation for this to happen. Mankind is by default selfish. People are so concerned about surviving and proving self-worth, that self-giving is not a high priority. The “agape” kind of love mentioned here is not something mankind can produce anyway. It is a quality that only God has – but he is willing to share it with those he created to be in his image. Those who don’t embrace this love will inevitably turn the gospel into some system of self-improvement that can be measured and used to gain leverage in comparison with others.

We have noted earlier that this kind of love only flows through the pure heart which is produced by the Spirit of the new covenant. This is “the good conscience” that comes because of the efficacy of the blood of Jesus Christ; the faith that trusts only in the faithfulness of the one who promised. It is good news that God has done everything necessary for our reconciliation to him. He has forgiven our sins. He has regenerated our hearts. He has cleansed our conscience. He has given us his life. Our privilege and responsibility is to believe him. We are “in Christ” and because that is so, we are in his life. He has no need to protect his reputation, fret about his livelihood, work for significance, or be suspicious of the Father. So neither do we!

Sure, it is almost beyond belief. It goes against everything natural in us. Sensing that we are alone, independent, and isolated from God, we are always looking for ways to get closer – at least close enough to be blessed instead of being cursed. This makes us vulnerable to those who insist that the law still has power over us. There are too many who use gospel language to mask their reliance on the law to improve us and our standing before God. We are told that Jesus has fulfilled some of the laws of God, but that others are still in effect. We are left trying to figure how to determine which is which. Others say that the gospel is the fulfillment of the shadows of the law, but they simply make New Testament commandments into laws that we must obey in order to get the benefits we want.

It would do us good to finally conclude that what God wants is not a self-improved person who is measurably holier than before, but a person who, as a recipient of grace, is voluntarily willing to give himself for the will of God. The only human to fit that model is the Son of God. He has done it and transferred his status to those who trust him. He is now making this life experiential for every believer. We have no improvement to boast of – instead we have a Savior to exalt. Law can motivate toward improvement, but only the gospel offers transformation.