Is there to be a balance between Legalism and Antinomianism or is there an altogether different answer to our guilt? Was not that answer to that question forshadowed so long ago as Adam and Eve covered their shame by the works of their own hands? As they expected the righteous crushing of their own life by a holy God - instead a wounding of Eve's own seed and final crushing by that seed of the tempter was promised. Then the seriousness of their crime and God's wrath was displayed there as an innocent animal was slain and they were clothed with the skin of that animal by God's own hand.
Since that day, God has delivered his chosen ones by turning their eyes in faith to Him alone for rescue - that rescue being accomplished by the shedding of innocent blood and the covering of their shame with a righteousness not their own. Most men throughout the history of mankind have sought to justify themselves and have displayed these efforts by both legalistic efforts and antinomian efforts. Some cover their shame with robes of antinomian grace that demands no death and they seek an earthly kingdom. Some cover their shame with doctrinal acknowledgement of sin, of death by sin, and even of righteousness by faith; but they clothe themselves in their self-wrought efforts at faithfulness (mistaking that for faith) instead of being clothed (by God) in the righteousness which is by faith - wrought of God. Others clothe themselves in efforts to meet the demands of God's holy law as if to undo their past infractions and ignoring their heart condition which hates God's law. Plodding along are some strange creatures - pilgrims - created in Christ who are by Him poor in Spirit, who mourn over their sin, who are humble as they hunger and thirst for a righteousness greater than the greatest religious man they know. They do not judge but instead show mercy as they do not cease to be amazed by the mercy God has shown to them. Their hearts have been purified and washed by God Himself with his blood; and they seek peace for all men. As they shine this light of peace in the darkness they are hated (especially by those who seek to justify themselves with religious effort) because men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. But even as these pilgrims are hated and persecuted they rejoice for their reward is in heaven. They do not seek their best life now. They believe that in losing this life they will find life. What a strange creature. What an impossible creature, yet with God all things are possible. This creature in Christ does not glory in these descriptions of himself but he longs for these things as he groans to be delivered from his body of death and to finally be like the one who died that he might live. He does not even demand that others be like him, instead he desires that others be shown the same mercy - that their eyes would be turned completely upon the lamb - the one who alone is worthy to be praised. He does not glory even in his faith. He sees that his faith was a gift from God and desires it for those who remain in darkness and have not faith. Meanwhile, wolves in sheep’s clothing or prideful men pretending humility try to drag these sheep from the shepherd - but He will not let them go. The sheep are broken hearted over those who continue marching through the wide gate of destruction even while they talk of believing in Christ the narrow gate. But the shepherd does not know them. Only the Great Shepherd can do the saving. O Great Shepherd, O worthy Lamb, will you not save more?