day no. 17,229: sweet and salty

“This tells us that the fundamental law/gospel divide is not to found in the text of Scripture. It is found in the difference between regenerate and unregenerate man. For the regenerate, everything from God is sweeter than the honeycomb. All of it is grace. For the unregenerate, the whole thing is the stench of death, including the good news of Christ on the cross. All of it is law and condemnation.” ― Douglas Wilson, Mere Christendom

The law is sweet to the those who love Jesus.

1 John 5:3

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

The commands of Christ are not a cause for complaining for those who love Him. His Law is honey even when it is hard and His grace is fixed and firm even when it is comforting. 

2 Corinthians 2:15-16

For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

The best news in the world smells like death to those who hate Jesus and the worst news in the world smells like life to those who love Him. The death of God on the Cross is despised by those who hate Him and delighted in by those who love Him. The same story is received differently by different hearts. The old man hates the death of Christ, the new man hates the sin that killed Him.