Self-Protection vs. Self-Sacrifice

I just finished reading my first book of the summer, Tullian Tchividjian's "Unfashionable." It went a different direction than I thought it would, but all in all, I really enjoyed reading it. I'd definitely give it my recommendation. Though there are many take-aways from a book like this, one theme that I really enjoyed was what Pastor Tullian described as "Self-Protection" vs. "Self-Sacrifice."

The main idea and motivation for this is the Gospel. Simple enough, right? Tchividjian argues that because of the Gospel and the work Jesus has done for sinners, Christians are freed from self-protection and freed for self-sacrifice.

First, no longer must Christians toil and strain for approval from the world, our parents, our friends, our co-workers, our church, and even our God! The beauty of the Gospel is that Christ secured for us a perfect standing before God the Father because of the cross. Our identity is no longer defined by what we do or don't do. Paul put it this way in his letter to the Galatian church, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Gal. 2:20 ESV) Christian, it is no longer your deeds that define you, it is the PERFECT righteousness of Christ. No longer do you need to protect your identity because it is already secured before the Father.

Second, in light of our objectively defined right-standing before God, we are freed to self-sacrifice for others. Our biggest problem is solved in Christ.

Think about how freeing this is. Having received all the kindness and tender-heartedness and forgiveness we need from God, we become free to give to others without risk, because our deepest needs have already been fully met in Christ. "Unfashionable" pg. 148

We have every spiritual blessing! Our biggest need is sufficiently and completely satisfied in Christ. Therefore, we are free to give to everything we have because we have everything we really need. Because of the Gospel, we are able sacrifice time, money, and energy radically because we are no longer defined by them. Giving becomes a privilege instead of a burden when the Gospel invades our lives. In the same way someone who is rich can give much or what they have, those who are infinitely rich in Christ can give everything they have.

So what will this look like for you? Because of how well you've been served by Christ, how will you serve others? Because of how much grace you've been given by God, how much grace will you give to your family and friends? Because you are infinitely rich in Jesus, how will you spend and invest your money?

What power the Gospel provides in our lives!!!