Perversions of the Gospel - Moralism

The gospel - the truth that Jesus died, was buried, and raised again to give us the righteousness that we could never attain ourselves, is unchanging.  The gospel is true for all eternity.  The gospel brings us to salvation.  We are changed by it.  Our hearts are transformed by it.  We need the gospel.  We need it daily.  We need it before conversion when we're dead in our sins.  We need it after conversion when we're struggling against the power of sin.  The gospel frees us from the penalty of sin: death.  It also frees us daily from the power of sin.  When we keep the gospel front and center, we grow in godliness.  However, when the gospel becomes perverted, permeated by man-made elements, it no longer is the gospel.  It is then no more than moralistic deism - the belief that the gospel can be reduced to making improvements in one's behavior.  For a good article on the pervasive nature of this belief system, especially among teens and young adults, go HERE.

The reality is that moralistic deism is alive and well among believers.  The gospel says, "I'm accepted, therefore I obey."  Moralism says, "I obey, therefore I'm accepted."  In moralistic deism, ethical standards become the focus rather than the justification purchased for us on the cross.  Tim Keller addresses this issues when he says, "We are more flawed and sinful than we ever dared believe, yet we are more loved and accepted than we ever dared hope."  We are sinful people.  But ALL of our sin: past, present, and future, was placed on Christ under the full wrath of God.  He is our sin-bearer. He carried our cross.  He died our death, in our place.  He offered himself once and for all.  Moralism requires its subscribers to continually enter the temple; to offer sacrifice after sacrifice in the form of changed behavior.  There is an emphasis on specific behaviors.  A list of "Do's" and "Don'ts" is important for moralistic believers.  They would never be seen associating with "that person" or going to "that place" (see Matthew 9 for how Jesus dealt with this).  They also would clearly know what type of music you should listen to, what type of books you should read, etc.  Some of moralism's signs include:

• a focus on what we are supposed to DO, rather than what Christ has DONE.
• performance as the key to growth and understanding
• alienation of those who don't keep up with our ethical standard
• inward-focused thinking, or what I call "spiritual narcissism" 
• taking prescribed "steps" to "get closer to God", and consequently lording those steps over those who don't practice them
• constantly talking about our own spirituality rather than the glory of Christ

The powerful reality is that the gospel frees us from the pressure to perform.  It releases us from trying to impress people with our behavior, actions, or possessions.  When we realize that we already have in Christ the things we often chase after: freedom, significance, approval, etc, it is then that we begin to grasp the gospel.  Through Christ we have everything.  There is nothing left to chase after or work towards.  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.

"Christian growth doesn’t happen first by behaving better, but believing better–believing in deeper ways what Christ has already secured for you."  Tullian Tchividjian