Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 1:55
After coming off an extremely different week that changed certain philosophies I held to, I still find that despite the greatest changes that I could ever possibly pursue, I must still remind myself of the depravity that lays within my human soul. What makes me any better than any of the evil figures that have walked this earth? Is not my lust the same as that of Caligula? Is not my hatred the same as Hitler?
Are all sins equal though? A friend said that with respect to God, it isn’t. All sin is in itself a statement of rebellion to God. However, he categorized two types of sins: one of personal sin and the other of sin that harms not only yourself but others as well. As a Christian, as much as I try, I know that nothing I do will ever bring me closer to God. Granted, everything good that I do do is from the Grace that I received at Salvation.
“I take it as a first principle that we must not interpret any one part of Scripture so that it contradicts other parts . . . . The real inter-relation between God’s omnipotence and Man’s freedom is something we can’t find out. Looking at the Sheep & the Goats every man can be quite sure that every kind act he does will be accepted by Christ. Yet, equally, we all do feel sure that all the good in us comes from Grace. We have to leave it at that. I find the best plan is to take the Calvinist view of my own virtues and other people’s vices; and the other view of my own vices and other peoples virtues. But tho’ there is much to be puzzled about, there is nothing to be worried about. It is plain from Scripture that, in whatever sense the Pauline doctrine is true, it is not true in any sense which excludes its (apparent) opposite. You know what Luther said: ‘Do you doubt if you are chosen? Then say your prayers and you may conclude that you are.’” - C.S. Lewis
Though I have fallen short of the glory of God, I am still justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23-24). To know that despite all of the grime and dirt that cakes us, God still offers us grace. Grace that, God willing, will be made known to the unsaved this weekend.
