The Foundation of Gospel Renewal

Sometimes we become too confident in our own abilities or our own morality and forget that we are saved by grace and not by good works. In Ephesians, Paul reminds us that we were, finally and unequivocally, dead in our sins with no hope of ever redeeming ourselves. It was in this direst of states that Jesus offered us the gift of salvation. Thus, we should not view the Gospel merely as advice to live our lives well, but embrace it and cling to it as our only hope and salvation. In addition, as Jesus gave us this gift out of His goodness rather than our own, we should feel justified to come to church as we are no matter the demons we're facing, and in turn welcome others to church as they are.