This thread is about personal truth. As Christians we know that we should believe not only in God but in Jesus Christ. The gospel, in a nutshell is this. Jesus saves sinners.
This simple statement can, for some, provide a profound personal challenge to our existence; who are we? What are we? The gospel message challenges me on a personal level. It invites to to question whether I am, indeed, a sinner. And what do I make of that?
Over the course of my life I have discovered that some beliefs are "safe" and some beliefs are "dangerous." For instance, I believe that Paris is the capital of France. This fact is "safe" because it doesn't challenge my character, my integrity, or my faithfulness.
That is on the one hand. On the other hand, if I admit that I am a sinner, this fact is "dangerous" in that it challenges my character, my integrity, and/or my faithfulness. I'll admit to you right now that I am a sinner. This fact is true about me personally. Me personally. Me as an individual. ME!
I'll prove it. I use unbalanced scales in my dealings with others. When I offend someone, I want God to forgive me; when others offend me, I want God to punish them. If I cause an injustice to others, I want mercy; when others cause an injustice to me, I want Justice. I want the other person to PAY!
Well, I repent and I know better and I am working on it. But as you can see, in order for me to gain hope from the gospel, I must first come to a true knowledge about me, personally. Who am I; what am I; really?
Other people are evil, right? We are all good people who make a few mistakes now and again, right?
No, in fact, I would maintain that I can't ever expect to be saved if I am not willing to stop making excuses for myself. Not only is the faith an affirmation concerning the truth about God and about Jesus Christ; it is also an affirmation about the truth about myself.
As usual, I think you should take this thread wherever it needs to go.
This simple statement can, for some, provide a profound personal challenge to our existence; who are we? What are we? The gospel message challenges me on a personal level. It invites to to question whether I am, indeed, a sinner. And what do I make of that?
Over the course of my life I have discovered that some beliefs are "safe" and some beliefs are "dangerous." For instance, I believe that Paris is the capital of France. This fact is "safe" because it doesn't challenge my character, my integrity, or my faithfulness.
That is on the one hand. On the other hand, if I admit that I am a sinner, this fact is "dangerous" in that it challenges my character, my integrity, and/or my faithfulness. I'll admit to you right now that I am a sinner. This fact is true about me personally. Me personally. Me as an individual. ME!
I'll prove it. I use unbalanced scales in my dealings with others. When I offend someone, I want God to forgive me; when others offend me, I want God to punish them. If I cause an injustice to others, I want mercy; when others cause an injustice to me, I want Justice. I want the other person to PAY!
Well, I repent and I know better and I am working on it. But as you can see, in order for me to gain hope from the gospel, I must first come to a true knowledge about me, personally. Who am I; what am I; really?
Other people are evil, right? We are all good people who make a few mistakes now and again, right?
No, in fact, I would maintain that I can't ever expect to be saved if I am not willing to stop making excuses for myself. Not only is the faith an affirmation concerning the truth about God and about Jesus Christ; it is also an affirmation about the truth about myself.
As usual, I think you should take this thread wherever it needs to go.
