Several ideas dominate our religious culture and landscape today:
- We can pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps. The teaching of Joel and others like him tell us we are good and have it within to better ourselves. Just speak it.
- Sin is not really sin. Let me rephrase that: don’t call it sin. A mistake. A mess-up. A wavering. A poor self-image. But sin? NO
- The lines are being blurred between right and wrong.
As a result (I think) we have a problem between feeling sorry and true confession; between penance and true repentance. The first leads to disappointment in self; the second leads to repentance and righteousness toward God.
There is no way anyone, especially me, is good enough to pull myself up. To think I can talk myself into better behavior is ludicrous. I know. I’ve tried that. “I’m not going to give in. I’m not going to give in. Today is going to be different. I’m not going to give in. NUTS! I just did!” That’s how it usually goes for me. The only way I can and will change is with God’s help. Even more impactful is the realization that if I could talk myself into not sinning, Jesus would have needed to come and die. Sin needs confession. Confession needs repentance. Repentance needs the cross.
“Father, what a magnificent truth! I need the cross. My sin doesn’t need good feelings or good works or good thoughts. My sin needs erased. Thank you that the cross does just that. Thank you for the eradication of my sin.”
Yes, Jesus, thank you for taking all my sins on yourself that I might be free to live for you.
Blessings, Bill!
That’s a big thank you on my part as well Martha.
This morning I honed in on the opening heading…
“Since sin is deeper than bad behavior, trying to do better isn’t a solution. Only GRACE that CHANGES the HEART can RESCUE us”
Bad behavior doesn’t cause sin…
Sin causes bad behavior. Trying to “FIX” bad behavior only results in failure. It only results in disappointment. It only results in shame.
When my appendix or gallbladder needed removed… I didn’t go grab the tools from my workbench and go to work. I went to the surgeon. I went to the expert who knew exactly what needed to be taken out and how. I went to the one that could put me back together.
Why would I think that I could remove sin on my own. I have to go to the God, My creator. He is the only surgeon that has the tools, the expertise, the power, to remove the sin.
Full removal will come eventually. For now, he has provided the ultimate Pacemaker. The Holy Spirit helps to keep me moving forward day by day. Even when I skip a beat, he keeps on plugging away until I am back in step.
Sorry… couldn’t stop…
Ryan S.
I think your analogies work well Ryan. 🙂 Ultimately, it comes down to His work in our lives. Thanks for commenting.
Well said and summarized in such a short space.
Our Savior’s perfect sacrifice is the only way to live above this flesh and it happens from the inside out where He dwells.