The Apostle Paul rebuked the Galatians specifically for trying to accomplish in their flesh what only God can do by the power of the Spirit. In Galatians chapter 3, Paul makes it very clear that we do NOT sanctify ourselves; sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit, Whom we’re supplied with by the “hearing of faith” (believing the Gospel). Paul is addressing fellow believers, brothers and sisters in Christ, and so the implication here is that we’re to live in the same way that we were saved: by believing in the Gospel. It’s not a one-and-done matter. We’re to revisit the Gospel daily, even hourly, reminding ourselves of the goodness, kindness, generosity, and mercy of the One “Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) The just shall live by faith.
But in videos and quotations of Steve Lawson from prior to his recent confession of marital infidelity, I hear and read a lot about how we need to stop sinning and be holy and bear fruit, lest we find ourselves on the way to Hell and eternal damnation. Lawson seems to focus exclusively on good conduct as evidence of salvation instead of faith in the finished work of Christ, and nowhere do I read or hear Lawson mention the power of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit supplied by faith therein. I’m therefore not surprised by Lawson’s fall, although I am very saddened. It is heartbreaking to see a man ascend to a position of such visibility and influence in ministry and not have learned the lessons of Romans 7 and Galatians 3. It’s even more heartbreaking to see how many people were so invested in Lawson, looking to his flawed life and example instead of to the perfect Cross and empty tomb.
This also reinforces why my default attitude toward pastors and the institutional church is one of wary skepticism. The Church is the Body of Christ, not a building with ministries and revenue and paychecks, and just about anyone can go to seminary/bible college, get a diploma, rise in ministry, and become a pastor–even those who are are not at all clear on the basics of justification, sanctification, and the Gospel (sadly). I used to feel bad about this skepticism, like I was being unduly rebellious or contrarian by not giving my default trust to pastors and “churchianity” at large, but I’ve learned over the past ten years that God is actually okay with skepticism. We live in a culture that rewards pastors who’ve never had to stop putting confidence in their flesh, unfortunately, and so it’s essential to reserve our trust for the only One Who is truly worthy of it.