The day will come when every man will stand before the Lord and be asked to give an account of his life. God makes clear the basis of this coming judgment: he “will render to each one according to his works” (Romans 2:6).
I have spoken with the adherents of many faiths who insist they can approach that day with confidence. Each has put their good and bad deeds onto a scale and become convinced that in the end, the good will outweigh the bad. But a person who is humble and sincere will recoil at such a thought, intimidated and perhaps even terrified to consider the declaration of Jesus that “I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me to repay each one for what he has done” (Revelation 22:12). For when we are honest with ourselves we know that even our best deeds are still tainted by sin and even our best intentions are still suffused with selfishness. We know that we have no truly good deeds to claim and that we have fallen far short of the glory God demands.
Sometimes I find myself pondering my life after I trusted in Christ and considering the strange and grievous reality of being both saved and sinner and of living in both the already and the not yet. I consider that I have so often been careless with my life, I have so often been cowardly in my faith, I have so often been faithless in my calling. At times I have nearly mutinied against God. I would never deny that I have deserved rebuke and reproach.
But God knows as well that I have never been a traitor and I have never been a deserter. Though always imperfectly, I have tried to fight on his side since the day he called me. I have tried to fulfill the duties he assigned to me. I have tried to leave whatever he committed to my charge a little bit better than I found it, to increase my one small talent into two. Even though I have often failed, I have at least tried—tried because of my love for him.
I have not been perfectly righteous, either, but I can say that I have strived to be righteous. Neither have I only ever thought what is perfectly virtuous or said what is perfectly fitting for the occasion, but I have at least attempted to think in upright ways instead of evil ways and to speak words that bless instead of curse. And this, too, because of my love for him. This, too, because of his presence within me.
I have earned nothing I need but Christ has earned everything I need and I have trusted in him to provide it.Share
So I trust that God is pleased with my intentions even when my deeds have been so faulty and my desires when my words have been unsuitable. Yet imperfect deeds and optimistic intentions would be the shakiest grounds of confidence before God. Thankfully, God gives much firmer grounds: I trust him to be pleased with my broken efforts and partial self-sacrifice only in the light of Christ’s perfect efforts and complete self-sacrifice. These deeds are not the basis of my salvation but proof of it and fruit that flows from it. I have earned nothing I need but Christ has earned everything I need and I have trusted in him to provide it.
And so I am convinced that God will not condemn me based on my sin but will pardon me based on Christ’s righteousness, for Christ is my hope, Christ is my help, and I have trusted wholly in him. I believe that on that great day to come, God will not oust me from the company of the faithful even though there is nothing in me that makes me deserving to be among them. He will not strike my name off the roll of the victorious even though I have so often shown that I am unworthy to have it there. I have every reason to believe that my name will be found written in the Book of Life and will be overwhelmed with joy to find it there, even if it comes lowest and last of all.
I can have such confidence not because of whom I am and not because of what I have done. I can have such confidence only because of the finished work and the infinite love of Jesus Christ.

Good morning from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where I’ve stopped just briefly as I make my way to Johannesburg, South Africa and, from there, to Kitwe, Zambia. I’ve got lots of miles still to go!

I forgot to mention that I added some Christian and general market Kindle deals yesterday. Eventually I’ll be looking for feedback on whether you’re enjoying the general market deals as well.
In Praise of the Tiny Church
“The tiny churches have so much more to offer God than we think. Many of us would consider a church of a dozen people to be hopeless. Many would claim that they should shut the doors and go elsewhere. But I have seen the greatness of God in the small places, in the few faithful members of little churches. Why would we ever believe that He only works where there are more people? Hasn’t He proven to us over and over again that He takes the small and the weak and He demonstrates His power in this way?”
Hey Christians: Let’s All Give Two Cheers For Nominalism
Here is an interestingly contrarian article about nominal Christians. “If you’re a Christian leader looking to evangelise, don’t celebrate the demise of nominal Christianity or seek to hasten it yourself, as if somehow that will give us a fresh slate. Churches and gospel faith die out completely in some parts of the world.”
Rob Ventura Interviewed on His New Commentary on Romans
RBNet Coordinator Mark Chanski interviews Rob Ventura about his new commentary saying that as he read it, the commentary reminded him of Spurgeon’s famous commentary on the Psalms entitled The Treasury of David. (Sponsored Link)
Gathering Application
This is a very helpful and challenging article about preachers and their application.
Why I’ve Stopped Using the Word “Gender”
Alan Shlemon explains why he has stopped using the word “gender” in conversations with others.
Man Shall Not Live by Online Bread Alone
“Friendship is the real thing. Social media is a supplement. The only reason social media gives you the feeling of friendship is because you already know what real friendship is.” Trevin explains why this matters to our participation in the local church.
Our Culture’s Unbelief (and Belief) in Sin
“Have you ever heard the adage, ‘Every day things change. But basically they stay the same’? The words first found my ears in the 1990s, in a song from the Dave Matthew’s Band. And I’d forgotten them until recently. Typically, these words suggest a sort of defeatism, a ‘stuckness’ in our life experience. But they might also help us discern our cultural moment by pointing out what we’re otherwise blind to.”
Flashback: The Song I Sing in the Darkness
Though the shepherd must lead his sheep into the darkness, lead them through an unknown valley, they will go, for he is with them. Their fears are soothed by his strength, their uncertainty by his presence.

If you have sensible parents, take them into your confidence in all the affairs of the heart. They will give you more good advice in one hour than you can get from all the world besides in five years. —De Witt Talmage

Grace and peace to you today.

Theres’s a good number of Kindle deals today.
(Yesterday on the blog: Hoping For Heaven or Wallowing in This World)
On twirling spears
What is spear twirling? “You know how it is: that argument you have as you look in the mirror brushing your teeth, or shaving… the argument where you are rehearsing just what you would like to say to that person at work, or at church, or in the next room!… the argument you always win, but actually will never say.”
Just Listen
“After a few years of reaching out to these younger women, it finally dawned on me that they weren’t interested in my wisdom or advice. They weren’t even all that interested in getting to know me. What they wanted instead was just someone to listen to them.” And that can be its own gift.
The Gray Havens – “Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery” (Official Audio)
This is a lovely rendition of “Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery” by The Gray Havens. They are about to begin a new tour. If you plan to go, use coupon code Challies5 to save $5 per ticket.
Some Thoughts on the Asbury Revival
“Perhaps you have heard or read by now reports about a revival taking place on the campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. A campus chapel service on Wednesday did not end at its appointed time but rather carried on for days on end. Students lingered and prayed and repented and worshipped.” Denny Burk offers some thoughts on it.
And a Soft Tongue Will Break a Bone
Here is a good example of a time when a soft tongue made all the difference.
Sinners or Saints — How Should We Speak of Christians?
“I was recently challenged about my use of the word sinner to collectively speak of God’s people. Can we who are saved by grace through faith still be called sinners, or is it more biblical to use the word saint?” John Piper answers the question.
Flashback: Biographies for People Who Have Never Read a Biography
Today I want to offer just a few suggestions and recommendations for people who are approaching biography for the first time, or for the first time in a long while.

We must have cast our sins on Him before we can cast our cares. We must be at peace with God through the work of our Saviour before we can have the peace of God through faith in His gracious interposition on our behalf. —F.B. Meyer