Better Questions Blog - Forgiven and Loved

[Nate Porter]

Alright, this song is less challenging in itself for a Lutheran at least, but I just heard it for the first time and it is Easter and Grace all over. Except read on past the lyrics:

Forgiven & Loved :
Tell me I’m forgiven and loved
‘Cause I hear it from the street corner priests
On how God is love and how man can be clean
But my joy has been on holiday
And my peace has almost passed away
Tell me I’m forgiven and free

CHORUS
O I tried and tried to rectify my hopeless situation
But I bought the lie I still have work to do
Now I’m working nine to five like I can earn my own salvation
But there is no condemnation in You

O whisper to me now that it’s for real
‘Cause in the silence of these walls righteousness lost its appeal
Dirty deeds have done me in
O but that can’t stop the faithful friend
Giving mercy once again as You heal
Here it is I’m feeling it

(Chorus)

O He died, He died to rectify my hopeless situation
And His blood commands my guilt to leave
Now on Calvary I stand
Empty pockets, open hands
O there is no condemnation for me

(Chorus)

Child, you’re forgiven and loved
Child, you’re forgiven and loved
Child, you’re forgiven
And child, you are loved
Child, you’re forgiven and loved
[ Forgiven & Loved Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]

Here's what Jimmy Needham (my other favorite artist right now with Todd Agnew) has to say about it:
You can't give what you don't have. The thing I struggle with most in my relationship with the LORD is the ability to receive His love and forgiveness. For some reason I have this crazy notion that if I work really, really hard I will finally put a smile on the Father's face. What I have failed to understand is that the only thing that truly pleases God is God himself. It’s true that there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, but the amazing part of that statement is that it is not based on our deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy. May each of us as believers be able to say with confidence that we are in fact forgiven and loved.

So the question of the day for me is: How do we actually shed the "crazy notion" of works righteousness? Because I've been to seminary, I know all the right answers, I can sing songs and whatever, but when it comes down to it, there are an awful lot of time I either feel like my failures keep me from God or that God must not have actually picked me and I just think he did, since I'm not showing fruits.

Since Easter, things have been excellent and I *get* this, but what about the other times that will inevitably come? When just reading Romans 8 again isn't enough? What do you do? Where do you struggle?

[Nate Porter]

How I often feel (when I need this message but can't hear it):
Psalm 119:5 If only I were predisposed
to keep your statutes!
119:6 Then I would not be ashamed,
if I were focused on all your commands.

[Lydia Nelson]

Professor Mark Granquist preached a very interesting sermon today (4-17) that I think addresses this issue really well. I would recommend checking it out on the Luther website.

[Nate Porter]

I just watched that sermon and I think it's great. It's nice to hear once in a while that we have power from the Holy Spirit that should make a difference in our lives. Of course, that's really hard to see sometimes, especially in myself.

The text Granquist quotes from Luther:
In accordance with the second table, He also sanctifies the Christians in the body and induces them willingly to... the work of the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies and also awakens the body to such a new life until it is perfected in the life beyond. That is what is called “Christian holiness.” And there must always be such people on earth, even though it may be but two or three, or only children. Unfortunately, only a few of them are old folks. And those who are not, should not count themselves as Christians; nor should they be comforted with much babbling about the forgiveness of sins and the grace of Christ, as though they were Christians—like the Antinomians do. (On the Councils and the Church, Luther's Works 41:146-147)

That's tough stuff. But I think Luther nails it. My next question for Luther is: what about the rest of the not quite but sort of Christians who don't live this life according to the Spirit... how do we (and I bet Luther would count himself in this group) fit in?

The chapel service, for any who are interested is podcast on iTunes in audio or video (search "Luther Seminary Chapel") and online at:
http://www.luthersem.edu/chapel/archives.asp?chapel_id=9772