How the Gospel Confronts Easy Believism and Legalism - Tim Keller

Don actually already said this. In 1 Don actually already said this. In 1 Peter 1 and 2, we see a lot of reference Peter 1 and 2, we see a lot of reference Peter 1 and 2, we see a lot of reference to the new birth. to the new birth. to the new birth. The new birth. The new birth. The new birth. And that What does the new birth means? And that What does the new birth means? And that What does the new birth means? Think about the metaphor of the birth. Think about the metaphor of the birth. Think about the metaphor of the birth. It's really You can't make yourself a It's really You can't make yourself a It's really You can't make yourself a Christian. You can make yourself a Christian. You can make yourself a Christian. You can make yourself a Buddhist. You can make yourself a Buddhist. You can make yourself a Buddhist. You can make yourself a Muslim. This is another thing the doctor Muslim. This is another thing the doctor Muslim. This is another thing the doctor used to say in his evening messages. You used to say in his evening messages. You used to say in his evening messages. You can make yourself a Muslim or a can make yourself a Muslim or a can make yourself a Muslim or a Buddhist. You can make yourself an Buddhist. You can make yourself an Buddhist. You can make yourself an atheist. atheist. atheist. But you can't make yourself a Christian. But you can't make yourself a Christian. But you can't make yourself a Christian. Christianity You become a Christian, you Christianity You become a Christian, you Christianity You become a Christian, you got to be converted. Notice it's a got to be converted. Notice it's a got to be converted. Notice it's a passive. You You don't convert yourself. passive. You You don't convert yourself. passive. You You don't convert yourself. You're You're converted. Something You're You're converted. Something You're You're converted. Something happens to you. happens to you. happens to you. Uh through faith, you're born again. You Uh through faith, you're born again. You Uh through faith, you're born again. You You You You You're confronted with your sin against You're confronted with your sin against You're confronted with your sin against a jealous and holy God. And you see the a jealous and holy God. And you see the a jealous and holy God. And you see the provision now. provision now. provision now. That's individual conversion. This is That's individual conversion. This is That's individual conversion. This is really important at this moment in our really important at this moment in our really important at this moment in our lives as Christians, especially North lives as Christians, especially North lives as Christians, especially North America, but I'm sure other places as America, but I'm sure other places as America, but I'm sure other places as well. well. well. There is a There's an erosion of There is a There's an erosion of There is a There's an erosion of confidence in that thing I just said, confidence in that thing I just said, confidence in that thing I just said, which is the idea that we have sinned which is the idea that we have sinned which is the idea that we have sinned against a holy jealous God. The wrath of against a holy jealous God. The wrath of against a holy jealous God. The wrath of God has to be satisfied, as we sung God has to be satisfied, as we sung God has to be satisfied, as we sung about it. Jesus Christ has stood about it. Jesus Christ has stood about it. Jesus Christ has stood in our place. Substitutionary atonement.

in our place. Substitutionary atonement. in our place. Substitutionary atonement. And when we believe in that, and his And when we believe in that, and his And when we believe in that, and his both his obedience and his suffering are both his obedience and his suffering are both his obedience and his suffering are imputed to us. I'll get to that in a imputed to us. I'll get to that in a imputed to us. I'll get to that in a second. I mean, all that old historic second. I mean, all that old historic second. I mean, all that old historic gospel is to some degree in disrepute gospel is to some degree in disrepute gospel is to some degree in disrepute right now. There are a lot of people right now. There are a lot of people right now. There are a lot of people saying we got to move away from it. Why? saying we got to move away from it. Why? saying we got to move away from it. Why? Well, background. Well, background. Well, background. Um Um Um J. I. Packer in his little chapter on J. I. Packer in his little chapter on J. I. Packer in his little chapter on grace in Knowing God said you There's grace in Knowing God said you There's grace in Knowing God said you There's two things you've got to know two things you've got to know two things you've got to know in order to really understand the in order to really understand the in order to really understand the concept of grace. concept of grace. concept of grace. Grace really isn't the opposite of law. Grace really isn't the opposite of law. Grace really isn't the opposite of law. He would say you've got to understand He would say you've got to understand He would say you've got to understand two things two things two things to understand grace. First of all, you to understand grace. First of all, you to understand grace. First of all, you have to understand have to understand have to understand how lost you are. how lost you are. how lost you are. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> How bad you are. How dire your condition >> How bad you are. How dire your condition >> How bad you are. How dire your condition is. How big the debt is. You've got to is. How big the debt is. You've got to is. How big the debt is. You've got to understand that. understand that. understand that. Uh Dr. Lloyd Jones again used to say I'm Uh Dr. Lloyd Jones again used to say I'm Uh Dr. Lloyd Jones again used to say I'm I'm I learned how to evangelize in I'm I learned how to evangelize in I'm I learned how to evangelize in preaching by listening about two or 300 preaching by listening about two or 300 preaching by listening about two or 300 of his evening sermon tapes from the of his evening sermon tapes from the of his evening sermon tapes from the '50s. '50s. '50s. And they And they And they they were they were evangelistic they were they were evangelistic they were they were evangelistic sermons. And Dr. Lloyd-Jones used to sermons. And Dr. Lloyd-Jones used to sermons. And Dr. Lloyd-Jones used to say, if if I if you came to see me and say, if if I if you came to see me and say, if if I if you came to see me and said, "Hey, I was at your house the said, "Hey, I was at your house the said, "Hey, I was at your house the other day and other day and other day and a bill came due a bill came due a bill came due and you weren't there and I paid it."

and you weren't there and I paid it." and you weren't there and I paid it." Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, "I really wouldn't Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, "I really wouldn't Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, "I really wouldn't know quite how to respond. know quite how to respond. know quite how to respond. I need to know something about how big I need to know something about how big I need to know something about how big that bill was. that bill was. that bill was. Was it a package with postage due and Was it a package with postage due and Was it a package with postage due and you spent another couple bucks? I could you spent another couple bucks? I could you spent another couple bucks? I could say, "Well, thank you very much. That say, "Well, thank you very much. That say, "Well, thank you very much. That was very kind of you." What if it's that was very kind of you." What if it's that was very kind of you." What if it's that thing I was afraid of getting from the thing I was afraid of getting from the thing I was afraid of getting from the IRS? IRS? IRS? You know, saying, "Here's how many You know, saying, "Here's how many You know, saying, "Here's how many hundreds of thousands of dollars in back hundreds of thousands of dollars in back hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes." And you paid that. I need it He taxes." And you paid that. I need it He taxes." And you paid that. I need it He says, "Until I know whether to say thank says, "Until I know whether to say thank says, "Until I know whether to say thank you or to get down on my hands and knees you or to get down on my hands and knees you or to get down on my hands and knees and kiss his feet and kiss his feet and kiss his feet and and uh and and uh and and uh I don't know how to respond to him. I don't know how to respond to him. I don't know how to respond to him. I don't know how to happy to I don't I don't know how to happy to I don't I don't know how to happy to I don't know how happy to be. I don't know how know how happy to be. I don't know how know how happy to be. I don't know how how to respond him until I know how big how to respond him until I know how big how to respond him until I know how big that that was." that that was." that that was." Now, if somebody says, Now, if somebody says, Now, if somebody says, "I believe Jesus died for me. He shed "I believe Jesus died for me. He shed "I believe Jesus died for me. He shed his blood for me and I've given my life his blood for me and I've given my life his blood for me and I've given my life to Christ. I accepted him. I walked to Christ. I accepted him. I walked to Christ. I accepted him. I walked forward. I invited him into my life." forward. I invited him into my life." forward. I invited him into my life." And you don't see any change in that And you don't see any change in that And you don't see any change in that person's life. You don't see identity person's life. You don't see identity person's life. You don't see identity shifting, behavior transforming joy. shifting, behavior transforming joy. shifting, behavior transforming joy. Then, what's the problem? Then, what's the problem? Then, what's the problem? People say easy believism.

People say easy believism. People say easy believism. What's easy believism? Well, the idea What's easy believism? Well, the idea What's easy believism? Well, the idea that you're just saved by grace. Wait a that you're just saved by grace. Wait a that you're just saved by grace. Wait a minute. Yeah. minute. Yeah. minute. Yeah. The problem is this person clearly does The problem is this person clearly does The problem is this person clearly does have have any idea the size of the debt have have any idea the size of the debt have have any idea the size of the debt and is therefore the size of the and is therefore the size of the and is therefore the size of the payment. payment. payment. Just has no idea of it. Couldn't have Just has no idea of it. Couldn't have Just has no idea of it. Couldn't have any idea of it. any idea of it. any idea of it. Uh Uh Uh Jim Packer used to say, "If if to Jim Packer used to say, "If if to Jim Packer used to say, "If if to understand grace and and for grace to be understand grace and and for grace to be understand grace and and for grace to be transforming, first you have to transforming, first you have to transforming, first you have to understand the debt. The second thing understand the debt. The second thing understand the debt. The second thing you have to understand besides the size you have to understand besides the size you have to understand besides the size of the debt is the magnitude of the of the debt is the magnitude of the of the debt is the magnitude of the provision. provision. provision. There are people who do understand that There are people who do understand that There are people who do understand that they're pretty bad. They They do they're pretty bad. They They do they're pretty bad. They They do understand how flawed they are. They do understand how flawed they are. They do understand how flawed they are. They do understand how far short they fall, but understand how far short they fall, but understand how far short they fall, but they aren't convinced of the magnitude they aren't convinced of the magnitude they aren't convinced of the magnitude and the sufficiency and the freeness and and the sufficiency and the freeness and and the sufficiency and the freeness and the fullness of the provision. the fullness of the provision. the fullness of the provision. They may only believe They may only believe They may only believe They may only believe that Jesus died They may only believe that Jesus died They may only believe that Jesus died the death we should have died. the death we should have died. the death we should have died. And And maybe they don't also believe And And maybe they don't also believe And And maybe they don't also believe Jesus also lived the life we should have Jesus also lived the life we should have Jesus also lived the life we should have lived. lived. lived. See, if you only believe Jesus died the See, if you only believe Jesus died the See, if you only believe Jesus died the death we should have died, that is he death we should have died, that is he death we should have died, that is he died for our sins, he paid our penalty, died for our sins, he paid our penalty, died for our sins, he paid our penalty, that sort of leaves you on your own.

that sort of leaves you on your own. that sort of leaves you on your own. Clears the deck. It puts you in a right Clears the deck. It puts you in a right Clears the deck. It puts you in a right relationship with God, but now I'm going relationship with God, but now I'm going relationship with God, but now I'm going to have to live a pretty good life if to have to live a pretty good life if to have to live a pretty good life if I'm going to stay in that relationship. I'm going to stay in that relationship. I'm going to stay in that relationship. I better live a pretty good life. I better live a pretty good life. I better live a pretty good life. And therefore, in a certain sense, I'm And therefore, in a certain sense, I'm And therefore, in a certain sense, I'm still maintaining my salvation by works. still maintaining my salvation by works. still maintaining my salvation by works. And you're And that There's no joy in And you're And that There's no joy in And you're And that There's no joy in that. There's no life-transforming joy that. There's no life-transforming joy that. There's no life-transforming joy in that. There's no identity-shifting, in that. There's no identity-shifting, in that. There's no identity-shifting, behavior-transforming joy in that. behavior-transforming joy in that. behavior-transforming joy in that. But if you realize he lived the life you But if you realize he lived the life you But if you realize he lived the life you should have lived and died the death you should have lived and died the death you should have lived and died the death you should have died. should have died. should have died. That not only were my sins put upon him, That not only were my sins put upon him, That not only were my sins put upon him, but his perfect righteousness and record but his perfect righteousness and record but his perfect righteousness and record was put on me. was put on me. was put on me. So, there's no condemnation. There can't So, there's no condemnation. There can't So, there's no condemnation. There can't be a condemnation for those who are in be a condemnation for those who are in be a condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Christ Jesus. Christ Jesus. See, when you understand both those See, when you understand both those See, when you understand both those things, now suddenly things, now suddenly things, now suddenly explosion. explosion. explosion. There will be an explosion. There There There will be an explosion. There There There will be an explosion. There There is an explosion. is an explosion. is an explosion. Now, what we have today is people who Now, what we have today is people who Now, what we have today is people who say, "I see easy believism, and these say, "I see easy believism, and these say, "I see easy believism, and these are the folks who don't understand the are the folks who don't understand the are the folks who don't understand the size of the debt." size of the debt." size of the debt." And they say, "Sure, I They have their And they say, "Sure, I They have their And they say, "Sure, I They have their born-again certificate. They haven't born-again certificate. They haven't born-again certificate. They haven't changed their lives a bit." changed their lives a bit." changed their lives a bit." And then you also see Pharisees. They And then you also see Pharisees. They And then you also see Pharisees. They also see people who are really under the also see people who are really under the also see people who are really under the burden of guilt. And as a result, burden of guilt. And as a result, burden of guilt. And as a result, they're withdrawn and they're hostile they're withdrawn and they're hostile they're withdrawn and they're hostile and they're moralistic and they're and they're moralistic and they're and they're moralistic and they're legalistic. And we look at these two legalistic. And we look at these two legalistic. And we look at these two groups of people, and the evangelical groups of people, and the evangelical groups of people, and the evangelical world's filled with them.

world's filled with them. world's filled with them. Filled with them. Filled with them. Filled with them. Both easy believism, Both easy believism, Both easy believism, really deadly. The whole Cost of really deadly. The whole Cost of really deadly. The whole Cost of Discipleship book by Bonhoeffer explains Discipleship book by Bonhoeffer explains Discipleship book by Bonhoeffer explains why easy believism was the reason Nazism why easy believism was the reason Nazism why easy believism was the reason Nazism could come into power. could come into power. could come into power. That's pretty dangerous. That's pretty dangerous. That's pretty dangerous. But on the other hand, you've got the But on the other hand, you've got the But on the other hand, you've got the So, you've got the people who don't So, you've got the people who don't So, you've got the people who don't understand the provision, and so they're understand the provision, and so they're understand the provision, and so they're Pharisees, and they're legalists, Pharisees, and they're legalists, Pharisees, and they're legalists, they're moralists. And people who don't they're moralists. And people who don't they're moralists. And people who don't understand the debt and the size of the understand the debt and the size of the understand the debt and the size of the payment and the size of the the payment and the size of the the payment and the size of the the magnitude of their situation. magnitude of their situation. magnitude of their situation. Why? Why? Why? Why the easy believism? Why the Why the easy believism? Why the Why the easy believism? Why the moralism? Because they don't understand moralism? Because they don't understand moralism? Because they don't understand the gospel, the old gospel, the gospel, the old gospel, the gospel, the old gospel, the historic gospel, the gospel of the historic gospel, the gospel of the historic gospel, the gospel of salvation by grace alone through faith salvation by grace alone through faith salvation by grace alone through faith alone through the work of Jesus Christ alone through the work of Jesus Christ alone through the work of Jesus Christ alone, double imputation, alone, double imputation, alone, double imputation, substitutionary atonement. They don't substitutionary atonement. They don't substitutionary atonement. They don't get it. get it. get it. Ah, so what's the solution to all the Ah, so what's the solution to all the Ah, so what's the solution to all the easy believism? Why is it we don't have easy believism? Why is it we don't have easy believism? Why is it we don't have people living the lives they ought to people living the lives they ought to people living the lives they ought to live? Why do we see people over here live? Why do we see people over here live? Why do we see people over here culturally withdrawn and being real culturally withdrawn and being real culturally withdrawn and being real negative and narrow? The solution is, negative and narrow? The solution is, negative and narrow? The solution is, let's change the gospel. let's change the gospel. let's change the gospel. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> No, but that's what's happening. And uh >> No, but that's what's happening. And uh >> No, but that's what's happening. And uh almost every month in evangelical almost every month in evangelical almost every month in evangelical publications and you know, the publications and you know, the publications and you know, the publishing houses, you'll see people say publishing houses, you'll see people say publishing houses, you'll see people say the gospel is no longer you're saved the gospel is no longer you're saved the gospel is no longer you're saved through the blood atonement of Jesus through the blood atonement of Jesus through the blood atonement of Jesus Christ, appeasing the wrath of God. The Christ, appeasing the wrath of God. The Christ, appeasing the wrath of God. The gospel's just the kingdom.

gospel's just the kingdom. gospel's just the kingdom. The gospel is The gospel is The gospel is God is renewing the world and he's going God is renewing the world and he's going God is renewing the world and he's going to reweave the world in peace and to reweave the world in peace and to reweave the world in peace and justice. And now you need to join this justice. And now you need to join this justice. And now you need to join this community and be agents for peace and community and be agents for peace and community and be agents for peace and justice. You need to change your life. justice. You need to change your life. justice. You need to change your life. You need to be a disciple. It's both You need to be a disciple. It's both You need to be a disciple. It's both faith and obedience. That's that's what faith and obedience. That's that's what faith and obedience. That's that's what that's what connects you to God. I can't that's what connects you to God. I can't that's what connects you to God. I can't imagine with that gospel anybody's ever imagine with that gospel anybody's ever imagine with that gospel anybody's ever going to write a hymn that goes like going to write a hymn that goes like going to write a hymn that goes like this, my chains fell off, my heart was this, my chains fell off, my heart was this, my chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed free, I rose, went forth, and followed free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee. It's just not going to happen. thee. It's just not going to happen. thee. It's just not going to happen. It's actually another kind of legalism. It's actually another kind of legalism. It's actually another kind of legalism. The problem. The problem. The problem. The gospel is individualistic. The gospel is individualistic. The gospel is individualistic. It is. It is. It is. It It does say you're an individual It It does say you're an individual It It does say you're an individual sinner, you've opposed a holy God, sinner, you've opposed a holy God, sinner, you've opposed a holy God, you've personally offended him. Here's you've personally offended him. Here's you've personally offended him. Here's the provision for it. Have a Having said the provision for it. Have a Having said the provision for it. Have a Having said that, that, that, point five, point five, point five, gospel's cultural. gospel's cultural. gospel's cultural. Now, what do I mean by cultural? I'll Now, what do I mean by cultural? I'll Now, what do I mean by cultural? I'll tell you right off the bat, the gospel tell you right off the bat, the gospel tell you right off the bat, the gospel creates a culture. It's called the creates a culture. It's called the creates a culture. It's called the church. It's not just an aggregation of church. It's not just an aggregation of church. It's not just an aggregation of saved individuals, it's a culture. saved individuals, it's a culture. saved individuals, it's a culture. The gospel is so different in what it The gospel is so different in what it The gospel is so different in what it says about God, about you, about your says about God, about you, about your says about God, about you, about your standing with God. It's just so standing with God. It's just so standing with God. It's just so radically different. It It is It's so radically different. It It is It's so radically different. It It is It's so identity transformate transforming.

identity transformate transforming. identity transformate transforming. Every other religion Every other Every other religion Every other Every other religion Every other Every other system basically motivates Every other system basically motivates Every other system basically motivates you through fear and pride to do the you through fear and pride to do the you through fear and pride to do the right thing. And only the gospel right thing. And only the gospel right thing. And only the gospel motivates you through the joy. The fear motivates you through the joy. The fear motivates you through the joy. The fear and trembling joy, you know, the fear of and trembling joy, you know, the fear of and trembling joy, you know, the fear of God joy. God joy. God joy. But so but that doesn't mean that now But so but that doesn't mean that now But so but that doesn't mean that now we're a bunch of saved individuals, we're a bunch of saved individuals, we're a bunch of saved individuals, meaning we all have this, you know, we meaning we all have this, you know, we meaning we all have this, you know, we have have have you know, wonderful internal you know, wonderful internal you know, wonderful internal fulfillment. It means that when we get fulfillment. It means that when we get fulfillment. It means that when we get together, we want to do everything together, we want to do everything together, we want to do everything differently. We will do everything differently. We will do everything differently. We will do everything differently. The gospel is massively differently. The gospel is massively differently. The gospel is massively transformational and it creates a transformational and it creates a transformational and it creates a counterculture, but it also it also counterculture, but it also it also counterculture, but it also it also makes us makes us makes us as [snorts] people relate to the culture as [snorts] people relate to the culture as [snorts] people relate to the culture around us. And this comes out especially around us. And this comes out especially around us. And this comes out especially in 1 Peter 2. I got to be brief on this, in 1 Peter 2. I got to be brief on this, in 1 Peter 2. I got to be brief on this, but it's crucial. The people who but it's crucial. The people who but it's crucial. The people who Those of us who do believe in that Those of us who do believe in that Those of us who do believe in that individual gospel often miss the individual gospel often miss the individual gospel often miss the communal aspects of the gospel. communal aspects of the gospel. communal aspects of the gospel. And in 1 Peter 2 12, it says And in 1 Peter 2 12, it says And in 1 Peter 2 12, it says Live such good lives among the pagans Live such good lives among the pagans Live such good lives among the pagans that though they accuse you of that though they accuse you of that though they accuse you of wrongdoing, they may see your good deeds wrongdoing, they may see your good deeds wrongdoing, they may see your good deeds and glorify God in the day he visits us. and glorify God in the day he visits us. and glorify God in the day he visits us. But right before it says, "Dear friends, But right before it says, "Dear friends, But right before it says, "Dear friends, I urge you as aliens and strangers."

I urge you as aliens and strangers." I urge you as aliens and strangers." That's actually how the whole book was That's actually how the whole book was That's actually how the whole book was was produced. In chapter 1:1, it says was produced. In chapter 1:1, it says was produced. In chapter 1:1, it says chapter 1 verse 1, "Peter, an apostle of chapter 1 verse 1, "Peter, an apostle of chapter 1 verse 1, "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God's elect strangers Jesus Christ, to God's elect strangers Jesus Christ, to God's elect strangers in the world." There's been a lot of in the world." There's been a lot of in the world." There's been a lot of discussion about this, pretty much discussion about this, pretty much discussion about this, pretty much consensus. consensus. consensus. The word there for strangers or aliens The word there for strangers or aliens The word there for strangers or aliens or sojourners or exiles or sojourners or exiles or sojourners or exiles means not a tourist means not a tourist means not a tourist who's just passing through the world who's just passing through the world who's just passing through the world briefly, briefly, briefly, but not a citizen of the world, either. but not a citizen of the world, either. but not a citizen of the world, either. Somebody who's going to be there a long Somebody who's going to be there a long Somebody who's going to be there a long time, and yet your citizenship, your time, and yet your citizenship, your time, and yet your citizenship, your values belong to somewhere else. values belong to somewhere else. values belong to somewhere else. Uh Uh Uh Peter makes amazing an amazingly Peter makes amazing an amazingly Peter makes amazing an amazingly balanced statement, and we have to balanced statement, and we have to balanced statement, and we have to understand this. The gospel, I believe, understand this. The gospel, I believe, understand this. The gospel, I believe, is radical is radical is radical in that in that in that because it because it because it the nature of the gospel on the one hand the nature of the gospel on the one hand the nature of the gospel on the one hand does say to legalists who are afraid of does say to legalists who are afraid of does say to legalists who are afraid of being polluted by the culture and are being polluted by the culture and are being polluted by the culture and are afraid of being afraid of being afraid of being have a tendency to need to bolster their have a tendency to need to bolster their have a tendency to need to bolster their fragile sense of righteousness cuz fragile sense of righteousness cuz fragile sense of righteousness cuz they're not right in Christ by feeling they're not right in Christ by feeling they're not right in Christ by feeling superior to the the sinners around them.

superior to the the sinners around them. superior to the the sinners around them. The gospel says to legalists who are The gospel says to legalists who are The gospel says to legalists who are withdrawing from the culture withdrawing from the culture withdrawing from the culture you need to engage. On the other hand, you need to engage. On the other hand, you need to engage. On the other hand, the gospel says to the gospel says to the gospel says to the secular, to the irreligious, to the the secular, to the irreligious, to the the secular, to the irreligious, to the liberal Christian who's over liberal Christian who's over liberal Christian who's over accommodating and saying well we really accommodating and saying well we really accommodating and saying well we really can't believe in sin because that can't believe in sin because that can't believe in sin because that affects that offends people really can't affects that offends people really can't affects that offends people really can't believe in the holiness of God and hell believe in the holiness of God and hell believe in the holiness of God and hell because that offends people. The gospel because that offends people. The gospel because that offends people. The gospel says that there's dangers on both sides, says that there's dangers on both sides, says that there's dangers on both sides, cultural accommodation cultural cultural accommodation cultural cultural accommodation cultural withdrawal. withdrawal. withdrawal. Most of us as Christians today think all Most of us as Christians today think all Most of us as Christians today think all the dangers on one side. We tend to get the dangers on one side. We tend to get the dangers on one side. We tend to get together in people who in groups of together in people who in groups of together in people who in groups of people say all the main danger the main people say all the main danger the main people say all the main danger the main danger is cultural accommodation. danger is cultural accommodation. danger is cultural accommodation. On the other side there's there's On the other side there's there's On the other side there's there's Christians who get together and say the Christians who get together and say the Christians who get together and say the main danger is cultural isolation and main danger is cultural isolation and main danger is cultural isolation and irrelevance. irrelevance. irrelevance. According to that verse According to that verse According to that verse it doesn't say sometimes you'll be it doesn't say sometimes you'll be it doesn't say sometimes you'll be persecuted persecuted persecuted and other times everybody will see your and other times everybody will see your and other times everybody will see your good deeds and glorify God. It doesn't good deeds and glorify God. It doesn't good deeds and glorify God. It doesn't say say say it it doesn't say that. It says they it it doesn't say that. It says they it it doesn't say that. It says they will both be happening together. will both be happening together. will both be happening together. People who withdraw from the world and People who withdraw from the world and People who withdraw from the world and just hate the world nobody sees your just hate the world nobody sees your just hate the world nobody sees your good deeds. They don't they don't good deeds. They don't they don't good deeds. They don't they don't glorify God. You're not involved with glorify God. You're not involved with glorify God. You're not involved with caring for the poor. You're not engaged.

caring for the poor. You're not engaged. caring for the poor. You're not engaged. On the other hand, people who On the other hand, people who On the other hand, people who accommodate the culture are never accommodate the culture are never accommodate the culture are never persecuted. persecuted. persecuted. How do we know the radical gospel is How do we know the radical gospel is How do we know the radical gospel is turning us into a counterculture for the turning us into a counterculture for the turning us into a counterculture for the common good? A counterculture that's common good? A counterculture that's common good? A counterculture that's very distinct very different from from very distinct very different from from very distinct very different from from the society around us but who shows the the society around us but who shows the the society around us but who shows the society we love them. We care about society we love them. We care about society we love them. We care about them. We love our enemies just like them. We love our enemies just like them. We love our enemies just like because we die we're saved by a man who because we die we're saved by a man who because we die we're saved by a man who died loving his enemies. And therefore died loving his enemies. And therefore died loving his enemies. And therefore this balance is awfully hard to this balance is awfully hard to this balance is awfully hard to maintain. maintain. maintain. Jeremiah 29 Jeremiah 29 Jeremiah 29 the exiles, some of them wanted to stay the exiles, some of them wanted to stay the exiles, some of them wanted to stay outside of Babylon and stay pure. The outside of Babylon and stay pure. The outside of Babylon and stay pure. The Babylonians wanted to come into Babylon Babylonians wanted to come into Babylon Babylonians wanted to come into Babylon and lose their cultural identity, but and lose their cultural identity, but and lose their cultural identity, but God told them through Jeremiah in God told them through Jeremiah in God told them through Jeremiah in Jeremiah 29, I want you to do hardest Jeremiah 29, I want you to do hardest Jeremiah 29, I want you to do hardest thing possible. thing possible. thing possible. I don't want you to stay out I don't want you to stay out I don't want you to stay out and be different. I don't want you to go and be different. I don't want you to go and be different. I don't want you to go in and become like them. I want you to in and become like them. I want you to in and become like them. I want you to go deeply in and stay very different. go deeply in and stay very different. go deeply in and stay very different. And that's exactly what first Peter is And that's exactly what first Peter is And that's exactly what first Peter is talking about. He calls them exiles. He talking about. He calls them exiles. He talking about. He calls them exiles. He knows that our relationship to the knows that our relationship to the knows that our relationship to the culture around here has to be the same culture around here has to be the same culture around here has to be the same relationship as the Jews the Jewish relationship as the Jews the Jewish relationship as the Jews the Jewish exiles to in Babylon.

exiles to in Babylon. exiles to in Babylon. We need to seek the welfare of the city. We need to seek the welfare of the city. We need to seek the welfare of the city. We need to care about that. We need to We need to care about that. We need to We need to care about that. We need to follow in the footsteps of the one who follow in the footsteps of the one who follow in the footsteps of the one who served his enemies and and and forgave served his enemies and and and forgave served his enemies and and and forgave his enemies and died for his enemies. his enemies and died for his enemies. his enemies and died for his enemies. At the same time we've got to be telling At the same time we've got to be telling At the same time we've got to be telling people they're going to hell. people they're going to hell. people they're going to hell. Now you know, I honestly generally Now you know, I honestly generally Now you know, I honestly generally speaking and it's certainly not true of speaking and it's certainly not true of speaking and it's certainly not true of everybody, but by and large the people everybody, but by and large the people everybody, but by and large the people who are want to be prophetic don't want who are want to be prophetic don't want who are want to be prophetic don't want to be priestly. The people who want to to be priestly. The people who want to to be priestly. The people who want to talk about hey, you're going to hell talk about hey, you're going to hell talk about hey, you're going to hell really do not just sacrificially pour really do not just sacrificially pour really do not just sacrificially pour themselves out for their neighbors and themselves out for their neighbors and themselves out for their neighbors and say, we're going to love you and we're say, we're going to love you and we're say, we're going to love you and we're going to serve you whether you believe going to serve you whether you believe going to serve you whether you believe like we do or not. like we do or not. like we do or not. And the people who are serving like that And the people who are serving like that And the people who are serving like that are afraid of talking about things like are afraid of talking about things like are afraid of talking about things like hell and wrath. hell and wrath. hell and wrath. I don't know whether we can become a I don't know whether we can become a I don't know whether we can become a movement of people who understand what movement of people who understand what movement of people who understand what first Peter is saying that we the gospel first Peter is saying that we the gospel first Peter is saying that we the gospel creates a counterculture, but a culture creates a counterculture, but a culture creates a counterculture, but a culture that engages the church this the that engages the church this the that engages the church this the community around us at the expense of community around us at the expense of community around us at the expense of persecution, but on the other hand at persecution, but on the other hand at persecution, but on the other hand at the the the with the effectiveness. Always always with the effectiveness. Always always with the effectiveness. Always always one of the things that I I found one of the things that I I found one of the things that I I found interesting about that particular verse interesting about that particular verse interesting about that particular verse is is is in New York, if you just live the in New York, if you just live the in New York, if you just live the Christian life, Christian life, Christian life, uh New Yorkers love what the Bible says uh New Yorkers love what the Bible says uh New Yorkers love what the Bible says about reconciliation, forgiveness, and about reconciliation, forgiveness, and about reconciliation, forgiveness, and caring about the poor. They hate what it caring about the poor. They hate what it caring about the poor. They hate what it says about sex says about sex says about sex and gender and family.

and gender and family. and gender and family. Go into the Middle East, they love what Go into the Middle East, they love what Go into the Middle East, they love what the Bible says about sex and gender and the Bible says about sex and gender and the Bible says about sex and gender and and family and they and they think the and family and they and they think the and family and they and they think the idea of forgiving people 70 * 7, turn idea of forgiving people 70 * 7, turn idea of forgiving people 70 * 7, turn the other cheek, that's ridiculous. the other cheek, that's ridiculous. the other cheek, that's ridiculous. I think what 1 Peter 2:12 is trying to I think what 1 Peter 2:12 is trying to I think what 1 Peter 2:12 is trying to say that in every single culture, if you say that in every single culture, if you say that in every single culture, if you actually live distinctively in an actually live distinctively in an actually live distinctively in an engaged way, you will get persecution engaged way, you will get persecution engaged way, you will get persecution and you will get approval. It'll always and you will get approval. It'll always and you will get approval. It'll always be different depending on the culture. be different depending on the culture. be different depending on the culture. You will attract people, you will You will attract people, you will You will attract people, you will influence people, you'll be salt and influence people, you'll be salt and influence people, you'll be salt and light at the same time you'll get light at the same time you'll get light at the same time you'll get punched in the mouth. punched in the mouth. punched in the mouth. And if you're not getting If you're only And if you're not getting If you're only And if you're not getting If you're only getting punched in the mouth, by the getting punched in the mouth, by the getting punched in the mouth, by the way, or you're only getting praised, you're or you're only getting praised, you're not living this gospel life. not living this gospel life. not living this gospel life. Because either you're falling into Because either you're falling into Because either you're falling into legalism and withdrawal, or you're legalism and withdrawal, or you're legalism and withdrawal, or you're falling into accommodation.