One of the best selling self-help books ever published was I’m OK–You’re OK, written by psychiatrist Thomas Harris. Hugely popular in the 1970’s, the book set forth many psychological ideas that are still alive and well among both secular and Christian psychologists today. Without delving too deeply into the premise of the book, I’m OK–You’re OK outlined four “life positions” in an attempt to help people understand their communications and relationships. The four positions were:
1. I’m Not OK, You’re OK
2. I’m Not OK, You’re Not OK
3. I’m OK, You’re Not OK
4. I’m OK, You’re OK
The problem with the premise of this book, along with every other secular (unbiblical) approach to understanding human behavior and relationships is identified by one word: SIN! Without an understanding of the nature of sin, there is absolutely no hope of comprehending why, as sinners, we are NOT OK! We are not “OK” and never will be “OK” in our own righteousness, no matter how many self-help books we read or how much good we might think we do. Scripture flatly asserts that all our good works are as “filthy rags” in the sight of holy God (Isaiah 64:6), because our deeds are soiled by wrong motives, sinful desires, or selfish ambition.
So if we are “Not OK” how can that be OK? Because Jesus is more than OK!
If we have placed our trust in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, we are cleansed by the precious blood of the spotless Lamb, and by faith we are clothed in His perfect righteousness. We are OK in the sight of God, because when God looks at us He sees only His sinless Son. We did nothing to gain our acceptance before God (justification) and we do nothing to remain in His favor (sanctification). It is, from the first stirring of faith to final glorification, all because of Jesus.
Quite simply, we know full well that are “Not OK” by way of personal experience. It is only the Gospel that can convince us that even though we have sinned—willfully, grievously, and repeatedly—and fall far short of the glory of God, we are still OK with God because of what His Son Jesus has accomplished on our behalf.
“It is finished!” was the young Warrior’s triumphant cry from Calvary’s cross (John 19:30). And in that victory shout, feel His hand upon your shoulder and sense the warmth of His smile as He reassures you yet again: “My child, I chose you before the creation of the world . . . and there is nothing in heaven or on earth that can separate you from My Father’s love” (Ephesians 1:4-5; Romans 8:38-39).
Do you realize how freeing it is to know you are “Not OK” and yet that’s still OK with God because of Jesus? Thanks to Christ’s atoning work on our behalf, we can finally get off the performance treadmill and rest in the unconditional and radical love of our Savior. When the truth of the Gospel seizes us, we stop performing to gain our acceptance because we are already accepted in the beloved . . . and that is more than OK!
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 