I am the Problem.
Posted by hisstoryteacher on February 25, 2009
Recently I heard a lesson about the obstacles to God’s grace in our lives. The speaker noted that “I” is in the center of “SIN”. Sounds like something right out of James. I think I know why Luther didn’t like the book of James very much—it puts the burden of guilt right on us. Paul is much nicer in Romans when he dwells on sin as a power unto itself, but I do believe the two views are not mutually exclusive. The reality is that sin is both the result and the cause of the inflation of “I” in “LIFE”. Our desire to put ourselves ahead of others, ahead of Christ, and even in the place of God is the chief obstacle to the grace that can be so richly bestowed upon us.
I am reminded of the old saying, “But for the Grace of God, there go I.” It makes me thankful that God’s grace is not easily deterred by the obstacles we throw before it. I am reminded of the words, “While we were still sinners”, and realize that is an individual truth over and over in my life. I am the problem.
I AM: The Answer.
Agape—or at least the best I can do…
Chris
Clyde S. said
Awesome!! That rocks my socks off. Theologically speaking.
RPLG said
Luther was semi-neurotic about his guilt over his sin in the first place, and James seems to speak more to the believing population (i.e those who should know better).
hisstoryteacher said
I could go neurotic myself if I dwelt on my sin (and hung around a bunch of monks.
Thank God for grace!