In one of his books, Paul Tripp (co-authored with Tim Lane), How People Change, identifies seven counterfeit gospels-religious ways we try and justify or save ourselves apart from the gospel of grace. I found these unbelievably helpful. Which one (or two, or three) of these do you tend to gravitate towards?Formalism. I participate in the regular meetings and ministries of the church, so I feel like my life is under control. Im always in church, but it really has little impact on my heart or on how I live. I may become judgmental and impatient with those who do not have the same commitment as I do.Legalism. I live by the rulesrules I create for myself and rules I create for others. I feel good if I can keep my own rules, and I become arrogant and full of contempt when others dont meet the standards I set for them. There is no joy in my life because there is no grace to be celebrated.Mysticism. I am engaged in the incessant pursuit of an emotional experience with God. I live for the moments when I feel close to him, and I often struggle with discouragement when I dont feel that way. I may change churches often, too, looking for one that will give me what Im looking for.Activism. I recognize the missional nature of Christianity and am passionately involved in fixing this broken world. But at the end of the day, my life is more of a defense of whats right than a joyful pursuit of Christ.Biblicism. I know my Bible inside and out, but I do not let it master me. I have reduced the gospel to a mastery of biblical content and theology, so I am intolerant and critical of those with lesser knowledge.Therapism. I talk a lot about the hurting people in our congregation, and how Christ is the only answer for their hurt. Yet even without realizing it, I have made Christ more Therapist than Savior. I view hurt as a greater problem than sinand I subtly shift my greatest need from my moral failure to my unmet needs.Social-ism. The deep fellowship and friendships I find at church have become their own idol. The body of Christ has replaced Christ himself, and the gospel is reduced to a network of fulfilling Christian relationships.[url=http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/03/19/counterfeit-gospels/]http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/03/19/counterfeit-gospels/[/url]
_________________Paul