The Myth of Self-Salvation

The myth of self-salvation lies deep in the human heart. It is a steady, polluted spring that fills and fouls the entire soul. It is an endless mechanic thrumming of the heart, so constant and sure that it is not explicitly stated, but unconsciously assumed.

This is the place we feel most comfortable, because we feel in control. We feel that we must be in control to be safe.

Christ as our propitiation and righteousness means that this constant thrumming machine is a myth. A lie that lies so deep within the human heart, so interwoven in the fabric of who we are, that perhaps only when we see him as he is will it totally be ripped out of our chests.

God's grace, like a sword, must slice this myth from our hearts. Until his Spirit does this, and the silent rest of Christ's cross replaces that sure and certain thrumming, we will live in fear. We will not love as we ought.

It's so constant and certain a sound that it drives us to "piety." We can perform a lifetime of good deeds that feel so righteous, all the while driven by that self-serving myth, thinking we are serving God, giving him something, filled with fear and pride. 

Why can I not rest in my soul that you feed me? Why can I not have peace in your gentle love? Why is the world to me so often a place of harshness, performance, and self?

Why oh why is not every moment a moment of the cross of Christ? Of my Judge who dies for me? Dies for me?! Gives me bread and drink? Takes away my sins?

Why does the river of silent love that flows from the cross not bubble up in my soul?

The glorious thing is that whether I ever get the full subjective sense of freedom that Christ has won or not, he objectively is so much deeper than that inward thrumming machine. Christ clothed with his gospel is so much more real than all our self-preservation. And when we see him, he will destroy our sins totally. And not only our sins, but also that loud, lying machine that holds us so closely.

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