I came across this video a few months ago. I don't know why I like it. Maybe because I like John Piper and maybe because I grew up liking Michael Jackson.
I like the message because it's a reminder, that even though I am a Christ follower, I'm still a sinner. Even though Jesus died for me, I'm still a sinner. Even though on judgment day, God will see the goodness of Jesus rather than my badness, I'm still a sinner.
If I am forgiven and covered in the goodness of Jesus, why is it so important to remember that I am still a sinner?
It's important to remember, so that I never take the grace given to me by God for granted. It's important, so that I remember that I am not any better than any other sinner, which is everyone. It's important, so that I am encouraged to tell others, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
3 comments:
I agree. I see many people who put off establishing a relationship with God, with Jesus, because they think they will be here "forever", and think they will "believe" in Jesus when they get old, before they die. That way, they will be forgiven of their sins. Blessed are those who are ready to meet their maker every day, as we are sinners, and will be given eternal life through Christ. My post on my blog today gives a great example of this very situation. Great post, Tony.
Yes...Grace...A concept not easily understood by a lot of modern Christians. To know that everything that God has for us and has provided for us through the death of His Son Jesus, us completely undeserved by us, makes a lot of people angry. We like to think of ourselves as good people. We give to the poor, charities, etc, but all of that is really for fleshly reasons...we want people to like us. Good works will happen automatically if you are in right relationship with God, but people tend to want to feel better about themselves. They want to feel good. But, there is none righteous, no not one. Our "goodness" is as filthy rags to Him. If we can just get "over" ourselves and rely totally on God, we will see the bigger picture.
It hard for us to rely on God in America because we have so little need. I know I fall guilty of this often. When I pray over dinner, am I really giving God the credit for providing dinner? When I sit and thing about - yes. However, where is my heart moment by moment - it's often not too close to God. Tom Davis has a blog related to this. It may come across a bit self-righteous but I think he is just venting his frustration.
http://tomdavis.typepad.com/tom_daviss_blog/2008/07/why-christians.html
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