There are just some statements that stop me in my tracks. Times when I read something that has such a profound nugget of truth that I just can't continue with "business as usual." This is one of those quotes:
"Here's the gospel: you're more sinful than you ever dared believe; you're more loved than you ever dared hope."
—Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian
If this is true, which I believe it is, it has the potential to shake me to such a degree that life as I have known it, cannot be the same! When I am confronted with the true holiness and perfection of God I am brought to my knees. I cannot stand in his presence. But, life as usual says: you may not be perfect, but you're really a pretty good guy. Look at those around you and read the news and you can feel pretty good about what you do and really good that at least you're not like "him." But reading the gospel gives me a different picture, a picture I am not comfortable with; a picture that I try to avoid whenever possible, and minimize at the least. It's this picture of how far I have fallen. And if that is where the story ended, life would be nothing but a hopeless mess.
Thank God that it doesn't end there! That is the reality of who I am in myself, but it is not who I must remain. Because of the ruthless love of God, the love that is so much deeper than I can describe or put into words, he came after us to defeat sin and death and give life.
Oh, if I were able to understand the depth of my sin, and the depth of God's love, life could not, and cannot go on as usual. I must lean hard into the forgiveness and love of my Father, as I realize the depth of my sin.
I'm thankful for those statements I read that stop me in my tracks. Those truths which don't allow me to keep going as normal.
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