I was listening to Alistair Begg on the way to work. Nothing new there. He made reference to just being a sinner saved by grace. Nothing new there. I decided I was tired of the emphasis. Nothing new there.
Christians are sinners saved by grace. You can’t argue with that because that is the truth. We are nothing, and never can be anything, by our own strength and power. We cannot earn our salvation. It is a gift. Notice: The gift is available and it changes things.
So why do some people spend all their time focused on life before the gift. When Begg and others of his persuasion say it they are saying, “we are SINNERS saved by grace.” What they should be saying is “we WERE sinners. We ARE SAVED by grace.” Or even, “We were dirty, no good rotten sinners, but we are now SAINTS SAVED BY GRACE.”
I once was a baby that soiled my diapers. Once I ate mashed potatoes with my fingers. I used to pass gas in public. Left to myself I would still practice habits like that. I may have stopped wearing diapers. Hopefully the work of my parents has had some effect. I don’t brag about how dirty my bib used to be but how clean my shirt is now. I don’t need training wheels on my bicycle any more. I might need a speed regulator on my car, but that is a different story.
Thank you, Mom and Dad. Thank you, Jesus. I could not, and would not, have done it without you. I hope I am a credit to your names.
homo unius libri
I suspect the emphasis on being sinners is to combat the self-righteousness that overcomes about nine Christians out of ten.
ReplyDeleteI guess that is possible. Actually, I know it is. At the same time I think there is a false humility that is another expression of the same attitude combined with a sense of excuse because "we can't help ourselves." Often we can because the Holy Spirit makes it possible.
DeleteGrace and peace.