It gives us wings.

Everything in the Word of God falls into one of two Words of God: it is either Law or Gospel.

If you had to define for someone what the Law was and what the Gospel was, what would you say? Here is how John Bunyan poetically summarized the Law and the Gospel:

“‘Run, John, run!’ the Law commands, but gives us neither feet nor hands. Far better news the gospel brings: It bids us fly and gives us wings” (John Bunyan, 1628-1688. https://gracequotes.com/category/john-bunyan/).

When we read the Words of God, when we sink our spiritual teeth deep into the Bible reading challenge or try and memorize the Word of God, we will experience the presence of either the Law or the Gospel. Why is this important? Does this matter?

It matters more than you could possibly know, because that Word, if it is the Law, will set our hearts on the condemnation that comes from God’s perfect requirements. And yet, that is the natural default of our human hearts. The Children of Israel shouted out at the base of Mount Sinai in the desert, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do” (Exodus 19:8). We think we can do this even though we have simple and accurate Bible truths that tell us otherwise: “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). That says that we CAN’T do what God requires.

It is what John Bunyan discovered (“‘Run, John, run!’ the Law commands, but gives us neither feet nor hands” ) and what Luther discovered in his conversion. Luther tried and tried to appease God but was finally converted by grace when the book of Romans, through the power of the Holy Spirit, caused Luther’s heart to explode with joy knowing that God gifts righteousness to us by faith. The gospel is that good news.

Then why does the gospel matter? The gospel is the good news that God loved us before we were lovable. God loved us then and still loves us now. God showered His goodness on us so that we would be brought to trust Him and He still continues to shower His love and grace on us so that we remain in the faith until reaching our home in heaven.

Again, we go to John Bunyan’s words: “Far better news the gospel brings: It bids us fly and gives us wings.” The good news of Jesus living perfectly for us and finishing the payment for all our faults, complaints, weaknesses and sins is a completed act that will forever be our perfect righteous record with God. It cannot be marred or ruined by our work because Jesus completed it.

What does that do to the human heart when the gospel’s sweetness burrows through to our whimpering, sad, neglected hearts? The human heart erupts with joy and may even wonder if this could really be true. Can this be that God loves us this much? Can this be that all our debt is paid? Can this be that our way to heaven was already completed and in Jesus we have a place in heaven, perfectly accomplished? It IS finished! It is completely ours! It is good news of the Father’s good will accomplished by the Son’s good and complete skill. It is the Spirit’s convincing argument that caused our shuddering hearts to accept this unbelievable truth. . . and now we believe it.

This weekend we are going to explore that goodness of the Gospel and see what it is that God has done for us. Join us in seeing the gospel in fresh perspective this Sunday!

Blessings to you all in Jesus’ name.