You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!

John 8:44-45 (NIV)

 

Many people outside of the church think that if they become Christians, they will become miserable and unhappy. Unfortunately, many Christians give the impression that it is true. If the good news is not received as good news, but as bad news, we must consider whether the gospel we preach is a different gospel.

Many Christians often speak of God as gracious and merciful, but they may not understand what the grace of God fully entails. During Jesus' earthly ministry, the greatest opposition he faced came not from the devil, but from his spiritual children, the Pharisees.

The Pharisees were experts of the Law but had little understanding of grace. The conflict between grace and law is a recurring theme throughout the four gospels and Paul's epistles. The gospel is explicitly clear that no one can be righteous through works of the Law (John 7:19; Romans 9:31), and that following the Law comes with a double curse (Galatians 3:10).

The Law is no longer binding because we have been completely saved by Christ's finished work on the cross. However, many Christians continue to struggle with legalism and perfectionism, attempting to earn or maintain their salvation through man-made rules and traditions that do not bring them into right standing with God. They assess their holiness based on the consistency of their personal prayer life, church attendance, giving, and so on. If they do not perform these things as well as they believe they should, they will feel guilty, shame and joyless.

Grace is true freedom in Christ.

It is to enjoy His presence and fellowship without having to feel worthy or good enough. As Paul states in 2 Corinthians 3:6, "For the letter of the law kills, but the spirit gives life." This means that the Spirit of love and life in us enables us to do far more for God through grace than through law.