There is a mythical ‘gospel’ that exists in our world. It is not written down, at least not in a single writing from a single source. Instead, it exists in the mindset of many Christians. It
The gospel of trying harder reveals itself in the lives of Christians who are desperately trying to be good for God. In some ways they sound a lot like Paul in Romans 7 verses 15 to 20
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
If read by itself these verses are some of the most confusing words in the Bible. This confusion looks a lot like the way many Christians who adhere to the gospel of trying harder live their lives. They try to be good (oftentimes referring to it as holy or holiness) and then when they fail the answer is to try again and try harder. Afterall, disciple is the root word of discipline, right?
But the point of Romans 7 is that we have been released from the Law and bound to Christ. Any goodness is found only in Christ. Pleasing God, very important to those who practice the gospel of trying harder, is actually found in surrender, not performance. It is in the recognition of our weakness and the surrender to Him that His strenght is made perfect in us. Our discipline is to be a disciplined surrender rather than a discipline of performance. Our abstinence is to be an abstinence of self, including self-reliance. Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the lust of the flesh.
The gospel of trying harder is not a gospel (good news) at all. Instead it is a deception that produces bondage. It is a reliance on self rather than a surrender and reliance on God. It is sin. To His people God calls, repent therefore and be set free.