If I’m already forgiven, can’t I just take what I want?

From the very beginning of the Reformation, when Luther told people that God had freely forgiven the sins of the world in Jesus, the Catholic response was: but what about good works?

Today, when we translate this forgiveness for people in Manchester and tell them God is in a good mood with them purely because of Jesus, the immediate response is: but what about Christian living? or faith? or love?

We all naturally want quid pro quo: That we should get what we deserve.

So, it feels like: if you don’t get a reward for good behaviour: what’s the point?

If God isn’t going to condemn me for sin, why shouldn’t I just do what I want?

This is legalistic thinking: We can’t imagine obedience that flows from simple trust.

This is the mindset that Satan coaxed out of Adam and Eve. And it’s the same one he now aims at Jesus.

Jesus has just been baptised, identifying with sinners like you and me, and God says to him: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

And now what are the first words Satan says to him in v. 3:

“If you are the Son of God…”

In other words “If God’s already pleased with you anyway, why not just take control?”

We’ll look at this story twice, first to see:

1) Satan’s lie: God’s Word isn’t enough—you must take control.
And then 2) Jesus didn’t take control—so you don’t have to.

So, first:

1) Satan’s lie: God’s Word isn’t enough—you must take control.

Both in Genesis 3 and here, Satan doesn’t start by overtly lying. Genesis tells us he is crafty.

He starts by saying something that sounds innocent…

Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?

But that question is designed to plant a thought: that God is not really on your side… …he’s not really for you …he’s withholding good things you need.

And now in Matthew Satan starts with…

“If you are the Son of God,

He’s trying to plant the thought: “Well, this thing you just heard about being God’s beloved Son: is it really certain?—can you really trust it?”

I mean… how about a bit of humility? Can you really be sure? Turn the stones into bread! Throw yourself down! Make sure you get the glory you deserve!

This is Satan’s lie: God’s Word isn’t enough—you must take control.

He’s telling us this same lie today. And we believe his lie in two different ways.

The first is self-righteousness. “Yeah, I do want to make sure…” So, you take something, or you do something, to shore yourself up: “I’m secure because I believe the right things. I’m secure because I do the right things.”

Anything we place our trust in other than God’s Word: That’s self-righteousness. That’s legalism.

The second way we believe Satan’s lie is like it, even though on the surface it may look totally different: self-fulfilment. So, you take something, or you do something, to get the good thing you think God’s hiding from you. “God isn’t treating me like his beloved Son, so I need to get the security, or happiness, he’s hiding from me. I just need to sort this thing God doesn’t care about, and then he’ll forgive me anyway. Well, God owes me… he’s not been good to me… …and so I deserve this.”

Any time we distrust the good promises of God’s Word, That’s self-fulfilment. That’s licence.

God says to Jesus: You are my beloved Son!

And he says to us: I’m in a good mood with you because of Jesus!

Satan’s lie to both Jesus and to us is: What God says isn’t enough—you must take control.

But here’s why this happened:

2) Jesus didn’t take control—so you don’t have to.

Why didn’t Jesus turn the stones into bread? He was hungry. He could have. He had the power. But he didn’t, for you.

Why didn’t he throw himself down? He could have forced a sign. He could have made the Father prove himself. But he didn’t, for you.

Why didn’t he take the kingdoms? He could have had glory without the cross. But he didn’t, for you.

Why? Because he trusted the Father’s Word. He did not need to prove he was the Son. He did not need to force the Father’s hand. He did not need to grab what looked good. He already had the Father’s pleasure.

And he trusted it. And he did that in your place. Where Adam grasped, Jesus trusted. Where Israel grumbled, Jesus believed. Where you and I try to take control, Jesus refused.

And because he refused, your standing with God does not depend on how well you hold yourself together.

Because he stayed the beloved Son in the wilderness, you are counted as belonging in him.

You don’t need to prove yourself. You don’t need to secure yourself. You don’t need to grab what you think God is withholding.

In Christ, the Father has already said over you: “You are mine.”

That’s what your baptism means.

Your position with God does not rise and fall with your performance. It stands on Jesus alone.

And that’s why you don’t have to take control anymore.