The Sole Sufficiency of the Gospel in the Life of a Believer

The Gospel is Double edged

It is both Judicial and Relational

We learn from Jesus that the Gospel Judicial because He proclaimed in John 5:24 that “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.”

This is possible because Isaiah 53:5 “He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Romans 3:28 “Therefore, we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”

We are all retched helpless sinners doomed to hell with no savior and salvation, but for those who have believed in Him; eternal life with Him is judiciously assured by the righteous King of Kings.

But the Results of the Gospel do not end here because justification ushers in a relationship via adoption.

The Gospel is Relational. God does not save us and leave us to take care of the salvation through personal righteousness. He adopts us into His family, and He becomes our Shepherd.

Jesus said, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; I lay down My life for the sheep. I know My own and My own know Me.

When we understand our nature as sheep, and the nature of Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we don’t act clever by trusting in our abilities in this world; rather, we listen to the voice of the shepherd (Scripture) and obey Him because God’s gracious security and peace being lavished on us in Him.

Let’s look at a man who understood the reality of God’s salvation and living by faith.

Psalm 23 NASB95

A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

David was writing this Psalm while he was in hiding from King Soul who was trying to take his life. I want us to notice that David is not just saying God is the shepherd, but he personalizes this relationship and calls God as “My Shepherd”.

Notice how David personalized his relationship with God in this Psalm! He reveals to us that each sheep has a personal relationship with the Shepherd. He uses about 16 First Person Pronouns in this six verses.

The Lord is my Shepherd implies David’s companionship with God. (V1.)

The result is that David shall not want, He has learned to trust his Shepherd for the sufficiency of the day. (V1b.)

He knows the Shepherd will provide for his needs. He trusts in God’s provision and providence.

David believes His Shepherd provides him with a tranquil soul. (V2.)

Lying down in green pastures implies a fulfilling and satisfying state.

Being led beside still waters insinuates the proclamation that God brings David into the state of peace of mind and heart.

David believes God cleanses him by way of restoration, just like a good shepherd leaves the 99 to follow one lost sheep and rejoices when it is found. (V3.)

God brings nurtures David to bring him to Spiritual maturity my guiding him into righteousness.

However, God does this for His name’s sake.

David understands that this is not about his righteousness, but the righteousness of his Savior.

Verse 4 brings us to a more personalized level where David affirms his deep faith in his Shepherd to God Himself. (V4.)

David affirms before God his confidence and assurance in the daily presence of God in his life.

David is not afraid of what will come because God’s sovereignty. The staff and rod represents God’s judicious leadership.

David affirms his victorious fellowship with God before the sight of his enemies (V5.).

His anointing as King is a symbol of victory over his adversaries.

He proclaims that dining with God brings his soul to abundance.

Davis is sure of future because he has not lifted his eyes off the promises of God (V6.).

He does not claim God’s goodness and mercy of the basis of his worthiness, but on the basis of God’s promises to be there for His flock.

He believes he will dwell in the house of the Lord forever because he understands that there is no condemnation to the children of God.

David has God as his companion, provider, source of inner peace, restorer and guide, his righteousness, his confidence and protector, his abundance and victory, and his gracious dwellings place.

Christianity is a daily humble decision to acknowledge one’s weaknesses and find refuge in the Good Shepherd as you learn how to follow and obey Him.

When we are faithless, God remains faithful; when we behave like the supposedly bewitched Galatians who started with faith but tried to confirm and sustain their salvation with personal efforts, God still remains faithful to His promises and keeps knocking on our hearts that we may welcome Him once again that He may dine with us.

What kind of sheep are you?

Will you humble yourself today and welcome Christ to dine with you in your heart so that you can have confidence in Him as your shepherd?

Benediction while standing:

Now I pray that Christ may help us fix our eyes on Him everyday because he is the author and perfecter of our faith so that the God who gives perseverance and encouragement may grant us to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that in one accord we may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; accepting one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

Hallelujah!