CSU 2009: U.S. Staff Conference

"Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:2-3

For the next 9 days Kyle and I will be in Fort Collins, Colorado with Campus Crusade attending the U.S. Staff Conference. At this conference, around 7,ooo staff from across the nation gather to worship the Lord, and gain additional training and development. The conference kicked off this morning as we had the privilege to hear from Pastor Tim Keller. Dr. Keller is the founder and pastor of New York's Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. In fact, his church has been named one of the Top 25 Most Influential Churches in America. So, it was indeed a privilege to hear him teach. This morning he spoke on The Gospel for Christians, and a sharp edge of the gospel that we tend to blur...that is free justification. I will try my best to summarize everything that was said, but he definitely brought light to my view of justification. Speaking out of Romans 3:21-28 Tim outlined why we need free justification, what is free justification, and how do we receive it? 

Why do we need free justification?

Keller said, "Righteousness is like a VPR - validated performance record. A VPR is what validates you, and makes you worthy of your position. The world today is based upon works righteousness--people present their moral resume (performance record) to God and try to earn their salvation. According to Romans 3:21, there is a different way to approach God...through Jesus Christ you get a perfect record (VPR), you stand righteous in Christ. This is the end of your struggle for performance, acceptability, righteousness, value, and worthiness. This is utterly different than what the world has engrained in people! Jesus has got to be your righteousness!"

What is free justification?

Keller said, " It is not just forgiveness. It is way beyond forgiveness. Forgiveness is a pardon, meaning you are free from punishment. It says you may go. Justification says you may come, you are welcome to all my love. When the righteousness of God comes to you, you get the record of Jesus. When God looks upon you, he sees Jesus Christ--that is way beyond forgiveness."

How do we receive free justification?

Keller said, "To understand it, don't look at your sin but look at what you boast in. What do you boast in? What is your justification? The Pharisees always repented of their sin but never repented of what they boasted in. Don't make a list of your sins. That will lead to a path of works-based righteousness. Turn to what you boast in. Repent from false salvations and justifications. If you can teach people the gospel this way, you will see life-change."

"The only person in the universe whose opinion counts delights in you!" 

Tim Keller

If you would like to listen to this message or any other sessions from CSU, you can download individual MP3 sessions or purchase the sets at http://csu.audio.com. I highly encourage this and think it would be well worth your time and money!