Three Streams

The Response to the good news of the Kingdom

Jesus often illustrated the good news through parables, the parable of the lost son, the lost coin and the lost sheep (Luke 15) illustrate the truth of God’s free grace. This is also seen in the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector.

Luke 18:10-17 (NKJV)
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men–extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ [13] And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”These truths illustrate that reconciliation and justification are based on God’s grace and not upon what we can do. It shows us that people are lost, in danger and in rebellion towards God. It shows the foolishness of presenting our ‘good deeds’ while we are in such a condition and it demonstrates that it is God who is the one who justifies and forgives freely. In this we see that salvation is a gift to be received freely. This is why there is such an emphasis on faith within the New Testament.

However receiving this grace is not the only story, as Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery ‘neither do I condemn you’ he also said ‘go and sin no more. (John 8). This reemphasises the fact that to respond to Gods grace in true faith is to come with a repentant attitude. It is a repentance that realises that the grace about to be received will involve a new kind of living. It is for this reason that Jesus taught his listeners to ‘count the cost.

Luke 14:25-33 (NKJV)
Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, [26] “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. [27] And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. [28] For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it– [29] lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, [30] saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ [31] Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? [32] Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. [33] So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

The choice is ours; our present condition is that of independence from God. Independence from God may bring pleasure ‘for a season’ (Heb 11) but ultimately it works death and judgement. God offers free mercy and grace, however that grace is complete, it is not satisfied in removing the guilt and consequence of sin (judgement) but it can only be satisfied in destroying its power completely in the believer’s life. The call to be washed is also the call to stay clean. This can clearly be seen in the following text.

Matthew 5:17-20 (NKJV)
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfil. [18] For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one title will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. [19] Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. [20] For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.