violates the law of God that is written on their hearts (2:15). The difference is that the unrighteous press into their rebellion against God while the self- righteous identify themselves with God and condemn their fellow sinners. The unrighteous are content with the speck in their eye. The self-righteous are adamantly addressing the speck, while ignoring the log in their own eye. (Matthew 7:4) Both the unrighteous and the self-righteous are subject to the judgment of


God at the return of Christ. And if we are to be preparing our church for that day, we ought to ask which group are we, as the church, more likely to fall into? As Associate Reformed Presbyterians, we are blessed with a rich history


and heritage of faithfulness in doctrine, ministry, and the life of our church. We have inherited a beautiful and strong orthodoxy, a consistent commitment to God’s global mission, and a rich fellowship that feels much like family. If you grew up in the ARP (which I did not), I consider you, like Paul, a “Hebrew of Hebrews,” with reason for confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3-5). God has been so very kind to us. And Paul reminds us that all this being true, we will still not escape God’s judgment. His kindness to us is not meant to feed our pride or sense of our own righteousness, but to lead us to repentance – driving us again and again to the foot of the cross and the righteousness that comes by faith. Like Paul, all that we have gained we must count as loss, for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord. We must not presume on God’s kindness and forbearance and patience, sitting in judgment on oth- ers and counting on our own works, but instead ask for broken spirits and contrite hearts that receive and rest in Jesus alone. At the Lord’s return, He will render to each one according to His works


(2:6). The fruit of true faith will reveal itself in a life of patience in doing good by those who are seeking God’s glory – and they will receive eternal life and honor and peace. For those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth through unrighteousness or self-righteousness, there will be wrath and fury and tribulation and distress (2:8-11). On the day of judgment, there will be no consideration of our heritage, as wonderful as it is. The secrets of all our hearts will be laid bare before Christ, and God will not show partiality (2:11, 16). Brothers and sisters, we are sinners before a holy God, justly deserving His


wrath and displeasure. The day on which the risen Lord will return to judge the world in righteousness is inescapable. Let us not dare, on this day or that, to stand before Him pleading our own “righteousness” according to the law or our status as “good” Associate Reformed Presbyterians. Let us not dare engage in the comparative righteousness that leads us to consider ourselves better than our fellow Christians who do not share our theology or our pagan neighbors who are yet without hope and without God in the world. Let us cast ourselves on the mercy of God in Christ, looking only to His finished work on our behalf, knowing the only righteousness we will ever have is His, granted to us by free grace! Let us now prepare ourselves for Christ’s return by think- ing often of that day to come, letting its certainty and urgency drive us to repentance and true faith, and toward our neighbors and the nations with the good news of God’s love and grace for sinners!?


Matt Carr is the senior pastor at Back Creek ARP Church in Charlotte, NC. He is a graduate of RTS-Atlanta. Matt and his wife, Shannon, have four children.


May/June 2021


Let us cast ourselves on the mercy of


God in Christ, looking only


to His finished work on our


behalf, knowing the only


righteousness we will ever have is His,


granted to us by free grace!


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