Want a Fulfilled Life?
Summary of a Lesson from Tim Keller
We all hear people say that to have a fulfilled life, we must take full control of it. But we soon learn that many problems in life are beyond us. Then some of us humble ourselves and, rather than blaming our genes, our upbringing, or the society, we accept that in many situations, we are the problem (Matthew 5:3).
We should not be the master, ignoring God’s sovereignty. We feel sad, acknowledge our mistakes, and accept the consequences (Matthew 5:4-5). Both moralists and Christians are sorry for their mistakes. But moralists think their good behaviors would compensate, while Christians see our actions cannot take us out of God’s wrath.
Yet, many of us still yearn to be approved and accepted by the Almighty (Matt 5:6). May be because we want to boost our ego or feel good about ourselves. In any event, God hates sin and could not just accept us (Romans 3:10-12).
God is angry because He loves us. If someone we love is consumed by narcotics, destroying his future, we would be angry with him too. We want to free him of this terrible bondage, even if he has to go through severe pain, though we desire for mercy in the suffering.
Our path to be right with God is through Christ suffering and taking our punishment. Christ sacrificed Himself for us so we could become God’s children, justified in His eyes. We willingly follow Him and listen to Him at least because of His love for us and His wisdom.
God accepts us because we rely on Christ. If we do well, we will not feel puffed up or brag. If we fail, we will not be cast down. What others think of us is not important because God’s acceptance is not based on our works.
In conclusion, humbly and sadly, we accept our weakness and mistakes. Then we rely on Christ’s sacrifice to become God‘s children, listening to and following God. This is the way to live a fulfilled life.
Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon:
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/coming-to-christ-6354/
We should not be the master, ignoring God’s sovereignty. We feel sad, acknowledge our mistakes, and accept the consequences (Matthew 5:4-5). Both moralists and Christians are sorry for their mistakes. But moralists think their good behaviors would compensate, while Christians see our actions cannot take us out of God’s wrath.
Yet, many of us still yearn to be approved and accepted by the Almighty (Matt 5:6). May be because we want to boost our ego or feel good about ourselves. In any event, God hates sin and could not just accept us (Romans 3:10-12).
God is angry because He loves us. If someone we love is consumed by narcotics, destroying his future, we would be angry with him too. We want to free him of this terrible bondage, even if he has to go through severe pain, though we desire for mercy in the suffering.
Our path to be right with God is through Christ suffering and taking our punishment. Christ sacrificed Himself for us so we could become God’s children, justified in His eyes. We willingly follow Him and listen to Him at least because of His love for us and His wisdom.
God accepts us because we rely on Christ. If we do well, we will not feel puffed up or brag. If we fail, we will not be cast down. What others think of us is not important because God’s acceptance is not based on our works.
In conclusion, humbly and sadly, we accept our weakness and mistakes. Then we rely on Christ’s sacrifice to become God‘s children, listening to and following God. This is the way to live a fulfilled life.
Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon:
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/coming-to-christ-6354/