We've Got It All Backwards

The gospel is strange. It is not normal. The Word of God always begins with statements of truth (indicatives) before giving statements of command (imperatives). It tells us who we are and who Jesus is before it tells us how we ought to respond, or how we are to act.

This is completely contrary to how we are inclined to relate to others, especially when dealing with conflict. When people sin against us, our first instinct is to tell them how they should and should not act. We typically like changed behavior over changed hearts. It's seems easier that way. It gives us the results that most convenience us. And it gives those results a lot quicker.

They are results we can control and manipulate - for a time. And when we stop to consider that the person is just not changing, we feel utterly helpless. We see that we may be able to steer behavior, but we know for certain that we cannot steer the human heart. Simply put, understanding the reality of relationships, lets us know that we are not God.

By using imperatives only as our way of navigating and managing relationships, we have neglected and even distrusted the Truth. We just don't believe the truth can set people free. We don't believe it can bring change. Even more, we are not patient or sacrificial enough to stick around to find out.

But the Lord is patient - and kind.  He is wise and powerful. Jesus is the Truth and he is the one to sets us free. He does what the Law could never do. He approaches rebels in love - giving them the truth, and, once changed, he gives them his benevolent, authoritative commands. The people of Israel were delivered before they received the law. We are given the truth of who we re in Christ before we are ever commanded to work for him.

So as we navigate relationships - yes, sinful ones - we must always do so in a gospel-centered way. You cannot stop a person from sneezing, but you can give them something that will take away their flu. If you put your hand over their mouth, you don't accomplish anything but smothering them. We must preach the gospel in love. The command comes later. If your anything like me, this sounds almost impossible.

That's also the point of the gospel. It robs us of our own strength and supplies us with his.