Christians who are no longer sure that God loves and accepts them in Jesus, apart from their present spiritual achievements, are subconsciously radically insecure persons —much less secure than non-Christians, because they have too much light to rest easily under the constant bulletins they receive from their Christian environment about the righteousness they are supposed to have. Their insecurity shows itself in pride, a fierce defensive assertion of their own [idolatrous achievements and righteousness] and defensive criticism of others. They come naturally to hate other cultural styles and other races, [idolizing their own culture, in order] to bolster their own security and discharge their suppressed anger. They cling desperately to legal, pharisaical righteousness, but envy, jealousy and other branches on the tree of sin grow out of this fundamental insecurity [the rejection of the righteousness of Christ.]”

– Richard Lovelace, The Dynamics of Spiritual Life

Lord, bring us this Advent season to a firmer, more soul-absorbing grasp of the gospel so that we become more secure in who we are in You. AMEN.