Apologetics with Alecs

We have a habit, particularly in American culture, to make everything about us. Most of us have centered the gospel around us. We were so important, God had to save us. At least this is the mindset. This is an inverted gospel. While we benefit from what God has done, the story is all about Him.

It took me a while to understand this. Back in January 2021, I was in a freefall. I had believed that I was supposed to do all these great things for God. I had heard countless messages about my purpose and destiny. I had been told that I was a super saint. Talk about pressure. Everything I believed was performance based. Then it was all ripped away in a matter of minutes. I had done nothing of value. I didn’t have the power to change circumstances to be what I wanted. I was lost. I was struggling with whether I was even saved, or if there was any grace left for me. I knew that I had blown it. I knew that I had followed teachers that were bad. I knew I had idolized people, and politics. I knew I had been dreadfully off course.

When we have a me-centered gospel, and a me-centered theology, our view of God is way off. I began to pray every day, crying and begging God to save me. To show me mercy. To grant me repentance. To give me assurance. To tell me that it wasn’t too late for me. I prayed for six months. Finally, a question was brought to my mind. “Am I saved because of what I have done, or because of what Christ has done?”

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” This was a passage I had read many times, but only now was beginning to understand. My parents and I watched the documentary, “American Gospel: Christ Crucified,” where multiple Christian teachers were sharing the gospel. They were talking on the false claims of Progressive Christianity and sharing the truth of Scripture. I felt as if I had heard the gospel for the first time. I realized that it is about God’s character, and plan. He will right the wrongs of Sin and Death. It’s not up to me.

The rest that came from this is incredible. While I should strive to live as He wants me to, my salvation is based on Christ. It isn’t based on me. I can’t live up to God’s standards. I don’t have the will for it. So, Christ’s sacrifice justifies me. His resurrection defeated death for me. His Spirit enables me to live holy. He who began a good work in me will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:6). All I need do is repent and believe the Gospel.