Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. (Heb. 13:9-10 )
I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. Acts 20:24
Dear Lord Jesus, throughout Lent, you’ve made me glad about several things. I’ve never been more grateful for the family you’ve given me. We’re a broken but beloved bunch—each of us is on the path of groaning and growing in grace. And I praise you for good friends and a “gospel posse,” with whom to share longings and laughter and the bleakness and bounty of life.
But in particular, I’m most thankful for the ways that you show me more of yourself—the author and perfecter of my faith. I can afford to be flexible about a lot of theological issues, but I can ill afford to be wrong about you.
Over the past four decades of knowing you, you’ve been faithful to rescue and keep me from all kinds of “strange teachings”—especially from gospels which are no gospel at all (Gal. 1:6-9); such as grace-less legalism and obedience-less grace; politicized gospels and sentimental gospels; from gospels which privatize knowing you and gospels which compartmentalize serving you; from gospels which marginalize the poor and gospels which empower the rich.
Lord Jesus, well beyond this current season of Lent, continue to smite my heart with more of your glory and your grace. May the gospel keep getting bigger and bigger, and more and more liberating, in my life. I want to boast much more fully in your righteousness, and more humbly in my weaknesses. I want to finish my race knowing, loving, living, sharing and serving the gospel of God’s grace.
Therefore, strengthen my heart daily with your grace. Though I know and love you in part, you know and love me perfectly, and that is all I need to know. So very Amen I pray in your peerless and powerful name.
