KNOWING GOD AND OUR SINFULNESS

“Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”  (Romans 3:19-23 NLT)

Knowing God without knowing our own wretchedness makes for pride. Knowing our own wretchedness without knowing God makes for despair. Knowing neither God nor our own sinfulness makes for false peace and the absence of truth. Knowing Jesus Christ strikes the balance, because He shows us both God and our own wretchedness and He brings true peace through the cross.  

-- Adapted from Blaise Pascal

#5881

KNOWING OUR SIN

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word is not in us." (1 John 1:8-10 NIV)

God is none other than the Savior of our wretchedness.  So we can only know God well by knowing our iniquities… Those who have known God without knowing their wretchedness have not glorified Him, but have glorified themselves. 

-- Blaise Pascal  (1623-1662)


#4558

GRACE THAT SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME

“We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.”  (Isaiah 64:6a NLT)

It’s true. God told the prophet Hosea to marry a prostitute. If you don’t believe me, read it for yourself in Hosea 1:2. The question is, why? Why would God want one of His right-hand men to marry one of the filthiest women in town? Simple. So Hosea could understand in some small way what it was like for God to be in a relationship with the people of Israel.

Can you imagine yourself marrying a prostitute? Or if you’re a woman, can you imagine yourself marrying a pimp with a dozen girls under his control? Or a drug pusher? Or a rapist?

Of course you can’t. The idea disgusts you. But you’d have to do such a thing if you ever wanted to fully appreciate what God has done. Through His Son, He has reached out His hand to every filthy, wretched sinner in this world and said, “I love you, and I want to have a relationship with you.” He wouldn’t do that if He couldn’t stomach our filth. 

-- Mark Atteberry in “Free Refill: Coming Back for More of Jesus"


#4519