# “The gospel affects all of life” by Sam Storms - Link: https://tollelege.net/2022/04/01/the-gospel-affects-all-of-life-by-sam-storms/ - Published: 2022-04-01T15:00:13-05:00 - Author: tollelege “The gospel influences virtually all our relationships and responsibilities in life and ministry. Let’s slow down a bit and unpack these in more detail. Our approach to _suffering_—that is, how to suffer unjustly without growing bitter and resentful—is tied directly to the way Christ suffered for us and did so without reviling those who reviled Him: “when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (**1 Pet. 2:23; cf. 2:18–25; 3:17–18**). Or take _humility_ as another example. The basis for Paul’s appeal that we “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than” ourselves is the self-sacrifice of God the Son in becoming a human and submitting to death, even death on a cross (**Phil. 2:1–5** in relation to **Phil. 2:6–11**). And as husbands, we are to _love_ our wives “as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (**Eph. 5:25, 26–33**). Why should we be _generous_ and _sacrificial_ with our money? Because, says Paul,“ you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich” (**2 Cor. 8:9; cf. 9:13**). Likewise, we are to _forgive_ one another “as God in Christ forgave” us (**Eph. 4:32; cf. Col. 3:13**). We are to “_walk in love_” toward each other, says Paul,“ as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us” (**Eph. 5:1–2**). We are to _serve_ one another in humility as Christ served his disciples by washing their feet and eventually suffering in their stead (**John 13:1–20**). The _freedom_ we have in Christ, says Paul in **Romans 14**, is to be controlled in its exercise by the recognition that the weaker brother who might be damaged by our behavior is one for whom Christ died. Paul encourages us to _pray_ for all based on the fact that Christ “gave Himself as a ransom for all” (**1 Tim. 2:1–7**). If that were not enough, countless passages in the New Testament direct us back to the reality of the gospel and what Christ has done for us through it as the primary way to combat those false beliefs and feelings that hinder our spiritual growth. So, for example, > When you don’t feel loved by others, meditate on **Romans 5:5–11 and 8:35–39**. > > When you don’t have a sense of any personal value, read **Matthew 10:29–31 and > 1 John 3:1–3**. When you struggle to find meaning in life, study **Ephesians 1: > 4–14 and Romans 11:33–36**. When you don’t feel useful, consider **1 Corinthians > 12:7–27 and 15:58**. When you feel unjustly criticized, rest in the truth of ** > Romans 8:33–34**. When you feel excluded by others, rejoice in **Hebrews 13:5– > 6**. When you feel you have no good works, let **Ephesians 2:8–10** have its effect. > When you are constantly asking, “Who am I?” take courage in **1 Peter 2:9–10**. > When you live in fear that other people have the power to destroy or undermine > who you are, be strengthened by **Romans 8:31–34 and Hebrews 13:5–6**. When you > don’t feel like you belong anywhere, take comfort from **1 Corinthians 12:13 and > Ephesians 4:1–16**. When Satan accuses you of being a constant failure, remind > him and yourself of **1 Corinthians 1:30–31**. When Satan tells you that you are > an embarrassment to the church, quote **Ephesians 3:10**. When you find yourself > bitter towards the church and indifferent regarding its ministries, reflect on** > Acts 20:28**. When you find yourself shamed into silence when confronted by non- > Christians, be encouraged with **2 Timothy 1:8–12**. When you find yourself experiencing > prejudice against those of another race or culture, memorize and act upon the > truth of **Romans 1:16; 2 Corinthians 5:14–16; Ephesians 2:11–22; and Revelation > 5**. When you struggle with pride and boasting in your own achievements, be humbled > by **Romans 3:27–28 and 1 Corinthians 1:18–31**. When you feel despair and hopelessness, > let **Romans 5:1–10** restore your confidence. When you feel defeated by sin and > hopeless ever to change, delight yourself in **Romans 7:24–25**. When you feel > condemned by God for your multiple, repeated failures, speak aloud the words of** > Romans 8:1**. When you lack power to resist conforming to the world, consider ** > Romans 12:1–2 and Galatians 6:14**. When you feel weak and powerless, be energized > by **Romans 16:25**. When you are tempted sexually, never forget **1 Corinthians > 6:18–20**. And again, when you find yourself saying, > “I’m not having any impact in life or on others,” be uplifted by **2 Corinthians > 12:9–10**. > “I feel guilty and filled with shame all the time for my sins,” be > reminded of **Ephesians 1:7**. “I live in constant fear,” be encouraged by **Luke > 12:32 and Revelation 2:9–11**. “I struggle with anxiety and worry about everything,” > don’t neglect the truth of **Matthew 6:25–34; Philippians 4:6–7; and 1 Peter 5: > 6–7**. “I am defined and controlled by my past,” look to** 2 Corinthians 5:17**.“ > I live in fear that God will abandon me,” consider his promise in **Romans 8:35– > 38**. “I can’t break free of my sins and bad habits,” linger long with **Romans > 6:6, 14**. “I’m afraid to pray and fear that God will mock my petitions,” take > heart from **Hebrews 4:14–16**. “I carry grudges against those who’ve wronged > me and live in bitterness towards them,” reflect and meditate on **Colossians > 3:12–13**. “I can’t find strength to serve others, fearing that I’ll be taken > advantage of by them,” let **Mark 10:45 and Philippians 2:5–11** have their way > in your life. “I’m a spiritual orphan and belong to no one,” rejoice in **Galatians > 4:4–7**. Each of these texts refers to the gospel of what God has done for us in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and each text applies that gospel truth to the particular problem noted. These, then, are just a handful of the ways that the gospel affects all of life, all of ministry, and everything we seek to be and do and accomplish as Christians and as local churches.” –Sam Storms, _[A Dozen Things God Did with Your Sin (And Three Things He’ll Never Do)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1433576600?tag=toletaupanre-20)_( Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2022), 184-188. More quotes from [Sam Storms](https://tollelege.net/category/sam-storms/) · More on [grace](https://tollelege.net/category/grace/)