After the Storm
Yesterday the tropical storm affectionately called Alberto came through the province of Nova Scotia. Today, however, was a stark contrast from the rain and winds. It was sunny, bright, and warm. But there were signs that a storm had been here.
This morning I went for a run and the evidence was everywhere. Now prior to this storm it had rained last week and there were many seeds littering the sidewalks. Today, there were many more and there were leaves, twigs and whole branches. I began to think about how the storm is God's way of naturally pruning the trees. The weak branches are the ones that are torn off by the wind. The wind also caused the seeds to fall to the ground.
Sometimes the storm may not be pleasant. But there is always sun afterwards. I was reminded today that it is the storm that God uses to prune us and to sow seeds. That there are parts of our lives that need to be severed-the idea of Heb 12-throwing off everything that hinders. And I ask myself, what must I give up in order to be able to sow seeds? in order to reach the people God has placed upon my heart?
If a child calls themself a retard or claims they are stupid its not acceptable. The parent or teacher is generally quick to rebuke this title and encourage them against this negative thinking. Certainly we do no want these titles to become self-fulfilling prophecies in that the child gives up.
So why is acceptable when a child of God calls themselves a sinner? Just as we don't reinforce bad behaviour through the use of titles, why do we justify sinning by calling ourselves sinners? Christ didn't die so that we could continue to sin, but so that we can be set free from the power of sin. Many of the epistles are written to the saints-that's you!
I think of the song with the chorus, "Jesus, Jesus/Friend of sinners/Friend of mine" And I wonder how this reinforces the idea that Christians are still sinners because of the sequence in wording. Jesus is the friend of sinners (as I am commanded to be too) and Jesus is my friend, but I am not a sinner!
One may do stupid things, but is not stupid
One may fail, but is he or she a failure?
How is it that we allow actions to dictate who we are? The DO has been confused with the WHO. Who I am is not dependent on what I do, but upon Jesus Christ.
Contagious Christianity provides the illustration of DO vs. DONE. Most think that life and religion is about the DO, DOing things to gain approval and acceptance. Following Jesus is about the DONE, Jesus has DONE it all when He died on the Christ, there is nothing we can DO. We just have to accept the DONE of the resurrection, the DONE that takes away our sin.
So if we aren't sinners, who are we? [click to make bigger]
I guess my problem is that there are many who stand to give testimonies and say they are sinners. They talk about the cycle and struggle of sin as if its never ending, that we'll struggle till we die. I've watched it happen in some of our Wesleyan churches and no one corrects or instructs them. Sure they give God the glory for how he's helped them and will continue to help... the next time. What about holiness? What about entire sanctification? What about victory?
still a thought in process, you're welcome to help me out
