I was brought up hearing the message of salvation clearly and repeatedly, week after week, in such an unmistakable way that classic gospel texts like John 3:16, Romans 3:23 and 1 Timothy 1:15 are etched on my psyche to this day. And I am eternally grateful for that.
I heard a lot of preaching that painted fiery pictures of hell in such a way that every hearer was anxious to run to the cross of Christ for rescue. I was left in no doubt that I had an urgent need to ‘be saved’, and I’m very glad about that.
The problem was – and I don’t think this is unique to my upbringing – that I knew what I was saved FROM, but I was less clear on what I was saved FOR. The gospel was presented, almost exclusively, as a rescue act which left me wondering what God’s ultimate plan for me looked like.
'New every morning'
“Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is …