good news.

it's been washing over me these past few days, the gospel. the truth of it, the freedom of it. in one of the podcasts i recently listened to, tim keller calls it gospel rest: the idea that when we truly get the gospel, we can rest.

"[God] saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began." -2 tim. 1:9

it's something i cannot break or mess up, because Jesus has already done the work to restore the relationship. it's not on me. and so i am free to live freely. to be bold, empowered by the Holy Spirit. to make mistakes and to be messy, because my identity does not come from my performance.

"Jesus heard 'depart from me, be cursed into everlasting fire' so that we can hear 'well done, good and faithful servant.' Jesus got the verdict that our performance deserves." -tim keller

so often i forget this simple truth, one which permeates into every aspect of ife, which gives purpose, value, and identity. that my soul has been redeemed, by nothing of my own doing. even in the moments that i flat out turn my back on God, even then i am free from the condemnation, because Jesus has borne it already. my penalty has been paid, and the eternity that i deserve, one of torment and eternal separation from my Lord, that utterly devastating eternity is no longer my fate. though my sin earns death every day, my good and perfect savior endured that separation and took the penalty for my sin, in my place. and the implication is freedom.

this is love incomprehensible.