“As the Scriptures say,
“No one is righteous—
not even one.
11 No one is truly wise;
no one is seeking God.
12 All have turned away;
all have become useless.
No one does good,
not a single one.”
Romans 3:10-12
Scripture never, ever flatters the human ego. It acts on us directly, “dividing the spirit from the soul.” I find no glowing review of our “noble” humanity. The opposite is true.
At our deepest core, the Bible teaches that we are depraved—separated from truth and goodness. In theology this is called, “original sin.” (I don’t think there is really anything original about it.) There is also a concept called “contrition.” It means, “having sorrow or sadness over sin involving making steps to amend your ways.” Notice the definition instills a sense of action. Perhaps the idea of penitence need a new emphasis?
Does your discipleship include the reality of you?
There are broad, generalized teachings that are woven into the Word— the iniquity and fallenness of men. It consistently talks a seemless truth, without fail. ( That’s one of the reasons why I know the Bible is true.) Yet the Father has made provision for our falseness and weakness, he sweeps nothing under a cosmic rug. You might say the Scripture completely understands us, as us. Our illusions and deceptions, blatant or subtle, do not confuse or mislead him.
Our discipleship must be “walked out” in brokenness. That is the only way it will work.
We have absolutely nothing to boast about. I cannot point to this blog— or having been a missionary, a teacher and a pastor as my “good things.” Today, I sat and became very aware of my inner wickedness. But because He directly intervenes in my life, I will not die in my sins like I deserve.
I am sad. You see, I am fallen, a complete failure. It’s easier to find water in the Sahara Desert than to find goodness in my heart. As a matter of fact, I’ve taken evil to a new level. I excel, and then I keep practicing it trying to squeeze out more and more power— pride— pleasure.
Those who mourn their contagiously evil hearts (Matthew 5:3-4) are the ones who God can comfort. Our sadness over our sin (and the sin of the world)—is evidence of the Spirit’s action over our depravity. Look for it, and rest in the Spirit’s work.
“Original sin is in us, like the beard. We are shaved today and look clean, and have a smooth chin; tomorrow our beard has grown again, nor does it cease growing while we remain on earth. In like manner original sin cannot be extirpated [completely destroyed] from us; it springs up in us as long as we live. Nevertheless we are bound to resist it to our utmost strength, and to cut it down unceasingly.”
~Martin Luther
Related articles
- RC Sproul: What happens to children who die before they can accept the gospel? (fairfieldparkcruisader.wordpress.com)
- Original Sin or Original Grace (caseyjblaylock.wordpress.com)
- 95 Quotes From Martin Luther (matgilbert.wordpress.com)
I’d like to share with you what I’m thinking this morning. I hope you will persevere and go through it. I identify with the “Man of the Tombs” so much. I am sometimes asked about mental illness and demon possession, but I can give no real light. All I know is that both are real and similar to each other. Evil however has a presence about it that can be addressed and cast out. Mental illness, on the other hand, is often a lifelong issue that requires management. To complicate things there can be a combo of the two, with demonic exacerbating the medical issue. God has gifted some in the Church with a gift “the discerning of spirits.”
