In religion our only hope is to live a life good enough to require God to bless us, so every instance of sin and repentance is therefore traumatic, unnatural and threatening. Only under great duress do religious people admit they have sinned, because their only hope is their moral goodness. In the gospel the knowledge of our acceptance in Christ makes it easier to admit that we are flawed, because we know we won't be cast off if we confess the true depths of our sinfulness. Our hope is in Christ's righteousness, not our own, so it is not as traumatic to admit our weaknesses and lapses.

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About Timothy J. Keller

Timothy J. Keller was a 20th-century American pastor and theologian. Timothy James Keller was an American Presbyterian pastor, Reformed theologian, and Christian apologist. He was the chairman and co-founder of Redeemer City to City, which trains pastors for service around the world. Read more on Wikipedia →

Themes

  • God — Spiritual reflections on the divine, faith, and creation
  • Religion — Exploring belief systems, worship, and spiritual practice

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