“Heaven have mercy on us all – Presbyterians and Pagans alike – for we are somehow dreadfully cracked about the head, and sadly need mending.” – Herman Melville
This Melville quotation has graced the web-sites, bulletins, pamphlets, and literature of many a Presbyterian Church and Reformed Institution. For us Presbyterians (as well as Calvinists in general no matter their denominational moniker) to take these words seriously, we need to be directly confronted with two questions of practical application:
1). Do we Christians believe that we need the Gospel just as much as non-Christians?
2). Are we Christians just as eager to preach the Gospel to ourselves as we are to preach the Gospel to non-Christians?
FIRST:
Do we Christians believe that we need the Gospel just as much as non-Christians? Do we need that very same Gospel in just the same way as pagans need the Gospel? On its face, the answer to these questions may seem obvious. Of course we do! But, if we Christians are honest with ourselves, we may catch ourselves thinking along these lines:
“Those poor pagans in some far distant frontier land are surely in deep need of the Gospel of salvation. Those poor huddled masses in the midst of our inner city slums are in critical need of the Gospel of sovereign grace. And, of course, the throngs of ignorant, poorly educated, less enlightened people most definitely need the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Also, I can’t fail to mention that my annoying neighbor Hebert needs to hear the Gospel so that his life will be changed (for my personal sake). But, I just need God to give me some wisdom so that I can live well. I need God to give me some direction here and there. I could use a little personal peace and ease to boot. After all, I’ve already been saved.”
Despite the encroachment of these prideful delusions, the truth is that Christians remain in deep need of the Gospel after their conversion. The same Christ who saves us by grace is the same Christ who keeps us within the grip of his grace. God who makes us his children keeps us his children. We are not only granted citizenship in the kingdom of heaven, our Lord and Savior retains us as his citizens. Salvation is a gift of grace and so is the perseverance of the saints.
SECOND:
Are we Christians just as eager to preach the Gospel to ourselves as we are to preach the Gospel to non-Christians? Are we just as zealous to be transformed by the grace of God as we are zealous for others to be transformed by the grace of God? Once again, on its face, the answer to these questions may seem obvious. Of course we do; . . . err . . . ah . . . at least we should (insert sheepish grin here). And, as before, if we Christians are honest with ourselves, we catch ourselves harboring the perennial prideful delusion “at least I am not as sinful as _________”. Colossians 3:1—7 potently puts forth the Christian’s ongoing need for the Gospel:
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passions, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them” (ESV , see also Ephesians 2:1—10).
Notice that we are not only raised with Christ (born again) we also hidden with Christ in God. Notice that the Gospel enable us to put off the very same sins that plague those who aren’t Christians (of whom we were once one).
Calvin writes, “Let us notice how volatile men are. He that is best disposed to follow God will soon fall, for we are so frail that the devil will overcome us every minute of time, if God does not hold us up with a strong hand. And for that reason it is said that God manifests his power in upholding us when he has elected us and given us to our Lord Jesus Christ” (“Sermons on Ephesians” 1562; repr. Edinburgh
According to Jesus, he is both “the Resurrection and the life” (John ), and “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). According to Jesus, he came both to “seek and save the lost” (Luke ), and to “give life more abundantly” (John ). Jesus is our Savior and Lord; he is our resurrection and direction; he is our salvation and satisfaction.
Once we truly appreciate our own personal desperate need for the Gospel, then we can compassionately and appropriately appreciate other’s desperate need for the Gospel. God help us Presbyterians and pagans alike.
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