Does God have "handicapped" "parking spaces" for a certain class of people who think they cannot overcome sin? Does He have a double standard for His everlasting kingdom? Can some "saints" plead that their evil temper is so deeply rooted in their genes that they cannot overcome? Or their sexual lust? Or their love of money? Or their habitual lying? On and on.
A false gospel which Paul calls "another gospel ... than that which we have preached unto you" (Gal. 1:6-8) says "YES!" You can cling to your besetting sins--you'll have a special "handicapped" section in His kingdom. To change the metaphor, the idea is you'll be given a white robe of righteousness that only legally "covers" your filthy robes underneath that you keep on wearing.
In contrast, the true gospel says you give up every stitch of those filthy robes so that the white robe of Christ's righteousness is not only LEGALLY "imputed" to you but is also EXPERIENTIALLY "imparted" to you; it no longer hides cherished character deformity underneath. We find the idea surfacing all through Scripture: "to him that overcometh ... even as I also overcame" (Rev. 3:21); "these ... have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (7:14); "they overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb" (12:11); Christ as High Priest "is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him" (Heb. 7:25); "the God of peace ... make you perfect in every good work to do His will" (13:20, 21); "be ye therefore perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:48).
An impossible standard? If all we have is that counterfeit "other gospel" Paul warns against, the "gospel" of "Babylon [that] is fallen"--yes; but thank God for the Good News of the true "gospel [which] is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Rom. 1:16).
The problem is our spiritual pride that insists on remaining "handicapped" when healing is not only offered us but is given us "in Christ." Let's humble our proud hearts and learn to "hunger and thirst after righteousness" [by faith--the only kind there is!] (Matt. 5:6).
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.------------------------------
