Thesis #2 -- The Seven Secrets to "Successful" Self-Reformation, Pride and Despair
Thesis #2: Much less can human works, which are done over and over again with the aid of natural precepts, so to speak, lead to that end.
My husband, Phil, always jokes around about how he'll live after I "write the big one." I tell him he's got a rich fantasy life. I'm thankful for the way that the Lord has used my writing but I'm pretty sure I won't ever write "the big one." At least not one that will enable my poor dear to retire early. Humanly speaking, my books won't be best sellers for at least three reasons: First, because I'm too serious for most women (a sadness to me), men won't read a woman's writing (a conundrum to me), and I'll never write about the Seven Secret Steps to Success, Happiness and a Great Sex Life Without Trying Too Hard (thankfully). I suppose I should also say that I won't have a best seller because I'm not that great of a writer...Don't blog back at me about this. I'm okay with it. I don't see myself as a writer -- more like a counselor who's somehow gotten into print.
Luther is getting at this last reason (the Seven Secret Steps one) in Thesis #2. In #1 he stated that the way of God's Law was not the way to righteousness because none of us obey it. Now he takes his proposition a bit farther. You are not able to reform yourself through natural law or repeated self efforts. That's where the whole self-help movement went wrong from the beginning -- and by the way -- that's also why it continues to be successful. People continue to buy the latest "Seven Step" book and then after a year or so (and after falling into both pride and despair) they hear about the new hot secret and buy it. Best seller in the making. The book we're reading, on the other hand, has fallen off the grid. Why? Because as Luther says, it's not very optimistic about our abilities to reform ourselves. And who wants to pay $17.99 to hear that? Again, the cross is rather insulting, isn't it?
Luther's point is simply this: if we only become more wicked by trying to reform ourselves through God's holy law, there's no way in the world that we'll be transformed by our own clever ideas. Snap your wrist with a rubber band until your hand falls off and you still won't change your heart or become righteous. We cringe when we hear about the self-flaggelation of the Hindu's but are we all that different? Of course, we shy away from too much blood and guts...unless we're into cutting or starving ourselves. But a little smack on the head with a nerf bat might just do wonders, mightn't it? I digress.
Here's where Forde believed we are now: "The modern world too tends to reject the law of God as a word from without. The self is encouraged to turn inward to the "moral law within" ("listen to the force Luke") and the self's own inner resources for assurance and power. Whatever may be the usefulness of such encouragement in the human sphere (it's better for one's family if you're not a cocaine addict), this thesis insists that it can hardly advance the cause of righteousness before God." (29) So, we're told to turn inward and access the 'truth" within. This, of course, will end in futility, too.
"The cross makes it clear that the law, whether from without or within, is a dead-end street when it comes to the question of righteousness before God. For the law demands love. ..It is not able to produce or induce what it demands...What the law requires is freedom from the law! Or as Luther could say, putting words into God's mouth, 'I'm obliged to forgive them their sins if I want the law fulfilled by them; indeed I must also put away the law, for I see that they are unable not to sin, especially when they are ... laboring to fulfill the law on their own."
So, if I want to love God and obey I don't give myself the law because the law will only make me guilty and despairing or proud. Instead I give myself the free grace of Christ and let that work upon my heart to produce love and joy and generosity. In the meantime, I fight to obey and pray that my motives are what God would have them be: love for Him, not approval of myself or the approval of others or even a best seller.
I'm working at this. In the meantime, I'll continue to write as long as the Lord opens the door. But I won't get rich and Phil won't retire. I've just read this to Phil and he's decided to reconsider the Lotto. Just kidding. Good thing I'm a kept woman.
My husband, Phil, always jokes around about how he'll live after I "write the big one." I tell him he's got a rich fantasy life. I'm thankful for the way that the Lord has used my writing but I'm pretty sure I won't ever write "the big one." At least not one that will enable my poor dear to retire early. Humanly speaking, my books won't be best sellers for at least three reasons: First, because I'm too serious for most women (a sadness to me), men won't read a woman's writing (a conundrum to me), and I'll never write about the Seven Secret Steps to Success, Happiness and a Great Sex Life Without Trying Too Hard (thankfully). I suppose I should also say that I won't have a best seller because I'm not that great of a writer...Don't blog back at me about this. I'm okay with it. I don't see myself as a writer -- more like a counselor who's somehow gotten into print.
Luther is getting at this last reason (the Seven Secret Steps one) in Thesis #2. In #1 he stated that the way of God's Law was not the way to righteousness because none of us obey it. Now he takes his proposition a bit farther. You are not able to reform yourself through natural law or repeated self efforts. That's where the whole self-help movement went wrong from the beginning -- and by the way -- that's also why it continues to be successful. People continue to buy the latest "Seven Step" book and then after a year or so (and after falling into both pride and despair) they hear about the new hot secret and buy it. Best seller in the making. The book we're reading, on the other hand, has fallen off the grid. Why? Because as Luther says, it's not very optimistic about our abilities to reform ourselves. And who wants to pay $17.99 to hear that? Again, the cross is rather insulting, isn't it?
Luther's point is simply this: if we only become more wicked by trying to reform ourselves through God's holy law, there's no way in the world that we'll be transformed by our own clever ideas. Snap your wrist with a rubber band until your hand falls off and you still won't change your heart or become righteous. We cringe when we hear about the self-flaggelation of the Hindu's but are we all that different? Of course, we shy away from too much blood and guts...unless we're into cutting or starving ourselves. But a little smack on the head with a nerf bat might just do wonders, mightn't it? I digress.
Here's where Forde believed we are now: "The modern world too tends to reject the law of God as a word from without. The self is encouraged to turn inward to the "moral law within" ("listen to the force Luke") and the self's own inner resources for assurance and power. Whatever may be the usefulness of such encouragement in the human sphere (it's better for one's family if you're not a cocaine addict), this thesis insists that it can hardly advance the cause of righteousness before God." (29) So, we're told to turn inward and access the 'truth" within. This, of course, will end in futility, too.
"The cross makes it clear that the law, whether from without or within, is a dead-end street when it comes to the question of righteousness before God. For the law demands love. ..It is not able to produce or induce what it demands...What the law requires is freedom from the law! Or as Luther could say, putting words into God's mouth, 'I'm obliged to forgive them their sins if I want the law fulfilled by them; indeed I must also put away the law, for I see that they are unable not to sin, especially when they are ... laboring to fulfill the law on their own."
So, if I want to love God and obey I don't give myself the law because the law will only make me guilty and despairing or proud. Instead I give myself the free grace of Christ and let that work upon my heart to produce love and joy and generosity. In the meantime, I fight to obey and pray that my motives are what God would have them be: love for Him, not approval of myself or the approval of others or even a best seller.
I'm working at this. In the meantime, I'll continue to write as long as the Lord opens the door. But I won't get rich and Phil won't retire. I've just read this to Phil and he's decided to reconsider the Lotto. Just kidding. Good thing I'm a kept woman.
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You girls should check out this You Tube video. Perfect for what we are talking about.
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Yes, so perfect. Good to hang with a perfect older brother who's got it completely together for me. What will we say when we face the Living God who is a Consuming Fire? Simply this: "I'm with Him."
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I love the little pictures of truth that I can see in daily life. For instance, I love it when I'm with some VIP and I get into places that I couldn't hope to get into without them.
I remember a NANC conference we attended in Indianapolis (I think) and we had arrived a bit late to get the "good seats." Someone noticed that I was sitting in the overflow room and brought our whole group up to sit on the front row.
I see the temptation to pride in my heart that "I'm special" -- a vertible legend in my own mind and I'm not a member of the hoi poloi. That's wickedness in its truest form. Thinking that I'm better than others and deserve better. I like that well-heeled feeling, that, I'm better than others feeling. I like musing on my own greatness and fame. Thank God Jesus didn't love that wickedness but instead, "made Himself of no reputation and took on the form of a servant, becoming obedient unto death, even death on the cross."
Secondly, though, I see that there will be a time when I'll be seated in the good seats even though I've arrived in such shabby form. That's because Jesus is willing to become one with the hoi poloi.
Again, "I'm with Him." Nice.
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That was perfect Jess
I'm enjoying everyone's comments while I am trying to catch up.
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Loved this video!! What a great witnessing tool!
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I don't know why Phil hasn't been able to retire yet...I buy your books by the case.
I wanted to bring up Forde's excellent insight from thesis #1, believing that it also applies to thesis #2. "Law is not intended to isolate from God in independence and pride, but to expose the need for God and his grace." (25-26) This little quote reminded me that the goal of the gospel is relationship with God (though why he wants that is unfathomable to me) My self-effort destroys intimacy with him. It displaces and masquerades as true sanctification. Instead of drawing me nearer to him, it pushes him away. It is a "defense against the gift." (27) Sadder still, "the relationship to the giver of the gift is broken." (27) These words help me see Luther's argument in terms that pierce my heart and make me want to stop using his law (or my own rules) to stiff arm my Lord.
So here's a question for the gang: Where do you see independence from God in your efforts to follow him?
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Yes, "defense against the gift." I loved that comment, too and would like to hear thoughts on your question from the gang.
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For me, it's definitely all the "stuff" that I do that I say is to serve Him. All the boxes I check off that I think tell me I am doing ok spiritually. Funny, I would never say out loud that I trust in any of those things for salvation, I know better-or at least I thought I did...but I sure have a tendency to trust in those things now for assurance and validation even when I know my heart is far from Him.
One thing though that keeps coming to my mind are some passages from James. In particular in James 2 17: "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." Don't we need to have some evidence through works of true salvation? I know that works in and of themselves don't accomplish salvation...but aren't they in part proof of salvation? So isn't, in a way, trusting in those works ok? Or am I way off-base here?
Thanks in advance for any replies!
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Thanks again for your transparency, Kimm, and for your desire to be faithful before God. I'd like to hear how the other women who read this blog will answer you before I weigh in. Ladies?
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Kristin: We do the works, we just don't trust in them for salvation as they CANNOT save us.
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I am independent (self-directing, unconstrained) from God when I am disobedient. I would say 'one'(sadly, there are many) of the ways I am disobedient is when I am LAZY. I know that spending time with my Creator and Lord - worshiping Him, thanking Him, seeking Him, produces the strength - HIS strength - that is necessary for daily Spirit-led living, and this SEEKING takes EFFORT.
D-i-s-c-i-p-l-i-n-e. When I am LAZY, I am not disciplining mySELF, setting
my TIME (some time, ANY time) to be with Him. When I do, it's ALWAYS good, and I think, why am I not seeking Him on a regular basis. It's because my flesh wants to sleep, watch TV, read, blog, argue, eat, etc...MORE (than spend time with God) and I give in (yield) to that flesh. And yet, God's mercy is so incredibly amazing.
Once, while in a movie theater, His presence came to me, I forgot all about the movie and just begin to weep. The Holy Spirit was talking to me about something. I couldn't believe God would visit me at that moment, but He did. He surprised me with His presence. I wasn't expecting it. I felt so humbled and loved. What a God we serve! God is merciful to me, a lazy sinner. He is WORTHY for me to disipline my day and seek Him. I don't want to be 'unconstrained'.
A missionary friend was preaching and asked, "Do you want to spend time with God?" He then shouted, "GET OUT OF BED!"
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Yes, Jo Anne, we certainly are acting independently from God when we are disobedient. Letting physical rest displace spiritual rest/refreshment shows that we don't really understand how much we need him for true rest (..man does not live by sleep alone??) But can we also act independently when we are obedient? Let's say you make a vow to get up early and are able to fulfill your plan for a month. Has your diligence brought you nearer to God in dependence or become yet another way to push him away? You have kept your "law". Are you now good?
I find the only way pursue good works without trusting in them is to renounce their virtue, in my head, out loud or on paper. "Yes, I got up early this morning to study God's word....but there is no virtue in that. I am not good as a result of what I did. Christ is good--I am in him, so I am surrounded by his goodness. The fact that I got up this morning and fed on him is another expression of HIS goodness, to provide for me.
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This is certainly turning into an interesting string of comments, isn't it? Thanks to all of you for posting.
I think that we're seeing the very struggle that Luther taught about right here. Although he spoke 600 years ago, the issues he addressed are still the ones we're wrestling with. Whether we seek to approve of ourselves through our works or are afraid that God doesn't approve of us because of our works, we're proving Luther's point.
We must rest in his righteousness alone. Whether we're happy and confident or sad and fearful, the issue continues to be one of trust. Moralism (trusting in my own goodnesses) will always eventuate in pride or despair. That's Luther's point isn't it?
Here's Paul's point from Romans 10:1-4
10:1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
So, the question, as I see it is whether I'm using my good works (devotions, tithing, witnessing, refraining from screaming at Phil) as a way to avoid submitting to God's righteousness. Where does my confidence to face the day and to face the God who is a Consuming Fire come from? Me or Him?
Again, that's not to say that we should all stop reading and praying and start screaming. It's just that the only way to pursue a love of obedience is to give up the law. Only freedom from the law breeds love that can embrace the law. Has Christ become "the end of the law for righteousness" for you? Have you believed this astounding fact?
Slogging it out with a gaggle of Swans is so much fun. Thanks and keep it going!
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Rondi, I can only think of two times of actually vowing something before the Lord: First, my marriage vows. Second, a foolish, sinful vow that I made during a time of extreme anger, for which I have repented, and the Lord had forgiven me. I'm afraid to make vows. Like Ecclesiastes says, better to not vow, then to vow and not pay!
So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
That's me - Oh wretched man! Who delivers me? GOD, through JESUS CHRIST! YAY!!!
PS Nice to meet you through this blog!
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Nice to meet you, too. Thanks for bringing Romans 7 to my attention. I hadn't noticed the "good" parts in it before. Very helpful and applicable.
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Hi Elyse,
I was thinking about doing a review of one of your books on my blog this week and I decided to take a look again at your site, which led me to your new blog. I think I'm behind the ball game regarding reading this book but will check back as you all go through it. I've read most of your books, I think,
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Thanks for the kind words, Jody. Join in whenever you like.
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Hi Kristen,
I remember the first time I read this book, I had the exact same question. I think it really means you are understanding the implications of what is being said. I want to encourage you to keep reading. The book will answer this very question in a few thesis. Ask God to help you be okay with not "getting it" for a few more weeks/days, and pray for clarity. I believe as we continue on this journey you will be encouraged/surprised/undone at what Luther is saying. I know this probably isn't super helpful, but I think following the logic of the book is the best way to go. Be encouraged that your questions reveal a deep comprehension of what this book is stripping you of. I will be praying with you.
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I just finished my morning reading in another book by Luther, his commentary on Galatians. And I came across this quote. I know I never have my own ideas, always quoting someone else or posting a you tube clip.. but this is really good.
"It is very useful, then, for them to fell the unclean desires of the sinful nature, lest they should be puffed up with some vain and wicked idea of the righteousness of their own works, as though they were accepted by God because of them. Godly people feel the uncleanness of their own hearts, and so they cannot trust in their own righteousness. This feeling so humbles them that they cannot trust in their own good works but are constrained to fly to Christ, their mercy-seat and only help, who does not have a corrupt and sinful nature but a most pure and holy nature, which he has given for "the life of the world" (John 6:51). In him they find a sound and perfect righteousness. Thus they continue in humility -- not counterfeit, but true and unfeigned -- because of the uncleanness that still remains their nature, for which, if God judged them strictly, they would be found guilty of eternal death. But because they do not lift themselves up proudly against God, but with a broken and contrite heart humbly acknowledge their sins and rest wholly on the benefit of the Mediator, Christ, they come into God's presence and pray that for his sake their sins may be forgiven them. God spreads over them an infinite heaven of grace and for Christ's sake does not impute their sins to them."
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Thanks for sharing this. This is really where it's at.
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Thanks, Jess! That is a helpful quote from Luther (and I liked the video you posted earlier too).
I told my husband a couple of weeks ago that I am not smart enough to read this book--I have to read some sections 3-4 times(literally) to understand, or even begin to understand them. Good thing it's not up to me and I know the Lord can still work even when I think I'm not "getting it". Thank you for praying for clarity for me!
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