February 2, 2022

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, by which also you are saved…. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-3)

The purpose of preaching is the proclamation that Jesus Christ has died for our sins and that we are once and forever absolved. The disastrous result of the self-esteem movement is the obfuscation – even blessing – of our rebellious and wrong-headed nature. 

To live in a world where we – and the world – call what is bad good is to live in a non-reality that ultimately undermines our sense of worth and happiness.  It is also to miss the true and deepest joy of receiving the grace of God – God’s righteousness given through the merits and death of His Son for our sake.

The Prayer of Humble Access says it best.

“We do not presume to come to this your table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your abundant and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table; but you are the same Lord whose character is always to have mercy. Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us.  Amen.”