Calvin Miller, in his book, "Into the Depths of God", writes:
"The inner lie is 'I'm OK.' The outer lie is 'You're OK.' The cultural tomfoolery is that everybody's OK. There are two ways to deal with our sin. The first is to look at it and say, 'I'm OK.' The second is to say, 'Well to be entirely honest about it, I'm not OK, but that's OK because Christ is more than OK, in fact, he's all sufficient.'"
Someone once said that the sign of a maturing believer is a greater awareness of our own sin. What a contradiction to the message of our age, of popular humanism, that we can do it all if we try hard enough. That the human heart is above all good, and contains all we need for success and happiness. How many times have you heard the phrase, "the power of the human spirit"? It bothers me.
The human spirit is depraved, selfish, and utterly lost. Someone else once said (I can't remember whom), that the mind can be totally overcome by dwelling on two things: The glory of God and the sinfulness of man. I am overwhelmed sometimes, when I consider the brokenness, even just around me - things like broken marriages and addictions, never mind stuff like child trafficking, sexual slavery, and genocide.
I watched a documentary on sexual slavery in Europe and Russia. It was one of the saddest things I've ever seen. How could humans become so hardened, so cruel, so ugly? But I suppose, when we shut out the light of God, we are left only to look inward, and harvest the fruit of all our selfish desires. Like Jesus says in John 3:19, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." People still love darkness. And isn't it all the more easier, when we are surrounded by a multitude of people who would rather meet their own sinful desires, for us to do the same?
I guess that's why Jesus said that the path is wide that leads to destruction, and many follow it, but the path that leads to eternal life is narrow, and few follow it.
But it all begins and ends with the blackness of the human heart. And if I don't everyday recognize the darkness of my own heart without Christ, that day will be forfeit for the kingdom of God.
I always liked the CEF definition of Sin: "anything you think, say, or do that doesn't please God."
ReplyDeleteIt's a definition that puts the focus on God's perfection instead of the depravity of the human soul. That way, the sinner can't simply say "well, at least I'm better then my neighbour!"
God's standards are so much more exacting.
It is true. Its easy to think that you're doing great when you compare yourself with someone else, but the true standard is God. Of course, that's the dose of perspective that gives true humility.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing I think is dangerous is the tendency to speak of our sin as "struggles" or "weaknesses" rather than disobedience. In the end, we make every decision from our own volition, and we are completely culpable for our actions, thoughts, and words.
January 27, 2010 5:39 PM