Saturday, January 16, 2010

The Gospel Gives Us Boldness Before God

I've been thinking a lot these days about what it means to live a gospel-centerd life. The essence of the gospel is that God does not give me what I deserve (which is His wrath), but instead overwhelms me with His love and grace.

The truth is that I do not always believe that He is so generous. I don't fully appreciate His kindness and grace.

There are moments when I seem to get it (at least a little.) In those moments I pray with more boldness. I trust God for bigger things. I am not hesitant to ask Him for something significant. I don't deserve any of this. But the gospel is the good news that says I can approach my Heavenly Father with boldness and confidence (Heb 4:16).

Milton Vincent says it this way:

With greater boldness in prayer comes an increased enjoyment of God and the bounty that He gives, due simply to the fact that I was daring enough to ask for what was needed. Preaching the gospel to myself each day nourishes within me a holy brazenness to believe what God says, enjoy what He offers, and do what He commands.

Though I've been a Christ-follower for many years, I still long to live in the Gospel more each day. I have yet a long way to go.