In my counseling experience I have found that some Christians who are saved early in life struggle applying the Gospel to their lives in practical ways, particularly when they become adults. They specifically struggle with a lack of daily passion for what God did for them at the Cross. Some of them are not as “stunned” by the truths of the Gospel as others who may have had a more difficult path to the Cross. I am not talking about emotionalism, though a lack of emotion could be part of it.
Whether your hands are down by your side or up in the air when you reflect upon the glories of the Cross is not as important as the condition of your heart. It is the heart that I am speaking of here.
Those who were wondrously regenerated at a young age can be deceived into thinking that because they have not committed some of the darker acts that many in our culture have committed, they are better than those with the more scandalous or flagrant sins.
Though they would quickly tell you that every person has sinned, no one is righteous, and we all are saved by grace rather than our works, some have not fully transitioned from what they know to be true, to how they live these truths out on a day-to-day basis. (See Rom. 3:10-12; Rom. 3:23; Eph. 2:8-10)
They can ace the Christian 101 Exam regarding the Gospel and salvation, but not do as well when it comes to living the Gospel out in their daily sanctification. Two areas where this can be evidenced is: 1) a lack of gratitude for things in life, including temporal provisions as well as spiritual blessings from God; 2) a temptation to look down on others who are not like them.
However, when a person can juxtapose these two equal and corresponding truths…
- I was the world’s worst sinner
- But God has now shown mercy to me
…then the temptations toward a lack of gratitude or judgmentalism are reduced in proportion to their daily understanding and practice of these truths in their lives. (See 1 Tim. 1:15-16)
Application Questions
- Do you believe if you had sinned more before God saved you, that you would be more passionate for him now?
- Do you have a lack of daily gratitude for what God did for you on the Cross?
- As you reflect on this post, what specific ways do you need to change your thinking about yourself? About God? About others?
Other Articles in This Series
- Problem: Big Sinners vs. Little Sinners – 1.0
- Churches with Big Sinners & Little Sinners – 2.0
- Adult Sinners with Big Problems – 3.0
- Acknowledged Sinners with Inexpressible Gratitude – 4.0
- Big Sinners, Little Sinners & the Worst Sinners – 5.0
Checkout some of our training videos on our YouTube Channel
Wow!
Great article!
In some ways, I was one of those “good kids”, that is until I went to college. I know not exactly when I was officially saved, but the Lord preserved me from a lot more than He should have, a fact for which I am most grateful.
I did experience, to a degree, some of the darker sins, but it wasn’t until I was 23 that I realised how dark these comparatively ‘light’ ones were. I know now that it was the Holy Spirit showing me and preparing me for the many types of sinful lifestyles of those around me would struggle with. It prepared me to put myself in their shoes.
For example, I was preserved for my husband for our honeymoon, but I now count the many ways that I committed adultery. I dressed to attract men, wasted kisses on people not my husband, and spent time being flirtatious (which is also lying). So when someone comes to me and confesses adultery (and it’s happened several times now), I know that even this act is forgivable in Christ’s Blood and I cannot cast stones at them. This one cannot be an accuser because she was one, too. That said, I will, if the circumstance allows, attempt to show this sin as such for the purpose of restoration to God and man.
I have literally broken every Commandment, sometimes overtly and sometimes covertly. I think that for those people that don’t think they have, if the Holy Spirit is present, He’ll eventually convict them that they actually have broken them. And what a humbling time it will be!
That was very good Beth. It was actually quite awesome. I think you get the Gospel
How cool. Thank you for your humility. I’m sure the people you get to serve feel and know that you are/were in their shoes. This is one of the many things I love about the Savior. He became sin, though he knew know sin. He walked our path. You are modeling this, in that you realize you are (or were) no different than the folks you are seeking to help. What joy!
This not only serves your friends, but it makes God’s name great, which is the real point of it all. Thanks for being humble enough to share part of your story.
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I appreciate all your articles and posts. They are helping me grasp the gospel better. Thank you!
D. B. said, My husband and I are in the youth ministry at our church and this year we are going through the book “Growing Up Christian” by Karl Graustein with them. It deals with this issue as well as a lot more pitfalls along those lines. Highly recommend it for any teen (or adult struggling with these issues) that have grown up in a Christian environment.