The popular star psychologist, Jordan Peterson, has stated, "Who dares say they believe in God!" or something similar. In a similar vein, I pose the question in an alternate way, "Who dares say they want to know the full extent of their sin!" In the glimpses I have had of my sin, it shows me how utterly and completely weak, depraved, arrogant, haughty, unkind, I am. The list could go on for quite some time. The utter lack of worthiness I feel in moments when I truly see a small part of my sin is nearly unbearable. Embarrassment is an understatement. It is to the effect that I cannot even comprehend my lack of comprehension. It is as if I am under the thumb of Almighty God. Struggling, I make it to my knees asking God almighty if He would grant my repentance. I have only been given a taste of the knowledge of my sin. I feel being made fully aware of my sin would put me in the presence of God right then and there. One might marvel at this idea and wish to fully repent of all their sin. Oh, how terrifying the thought of the presence of Almighty God!
We are mere vessels, objects, in the hands of the cosmic powers that be. I can scarce comprehend that people think they are experiencing God in their worship services that are little more than ear candy performances built on sentiments to illicit an emotional response rather than a true encounter with God. Here's something you don't hear everyday: Your sin should make you sick to your stomach.
It is out of God's mercy that He does not show us the full extent of our sin. No one could bear their own sin, let alone stomach it. Jesus came to experience the full extent of our sin. He did this at Calvary, on the cross, put to death for you and me. There are no words that are adequate to express the gratitude we should feel at His loss, His suffering, and His sacrifice, His own life. I can only say, "My Savior." Any more and I would be dishonest.
And in a recognition of my sin, I see it is not about me trying to please God, trying to earn his favor, much less appealing to His good conscience, which is how I see the person making a deal with God, "If you will get me out of this, God, I promise I'll devote my whole life to you" or some such. In the effect that repentance changes a person, it is in no way due to his own effort or his own recognition, but it is owed only to God that a flawed, imperfect, detestable creature can do nothing right. Nay, the effect of repentance is not that we have now come to some realization that we now have mastery over our own sin, but that anything we might do that pleases God comes as a consequence of God's work in our life and not anything to do with our merit in what we can accomplish. If there is anything that you are left with, it should be that in our weakness, God is glorified.
We are mere vessels, objects, in the hands of the cosmic powers that be. I can scarce comprehend that people think they are experiencing God in their worship services that are little more than ear candy performances built on sentiments to illicit an emotional response rather than a true encounter with God. Here's something you don't hear everyday: Your sin should make you sick to your stomach.
It is out of God's mercy that He does not show us the full extent of our sin. No one could bear their own sin, let alone stomach it. Jesus came to experience the full extent of our sin. He did this at Calvary, on the cross, put to death for you and me. There are no words that are adequate to express the gratitude we should feel at His loss, His suffering, and His sacrifice, His own life. I can only say, "My Savior." Any more and I would be dishonest.
And in a recognition of my sin, I see it is not about me trying to please God, trying to earn his favor, much less appealing to His good conscience, which is how I see the person making a deal with God, "If you will get me out of this, God, I promise I'll devote my whole life to you" or some such. In the effect that repentance changes a person, it is in no way due to his own effort or his own recognition, but it is owed only to God that a flawed, imperfect, detestable creature can do nothing right. Nay, the effect of repentance is not that we have now come to some realization that we now have mastery over our own sin, but that anything we might do that pleases God comes as a consequence of God's work in our life and not anything to do with our merit in what we can accomplish. If there is anything that you are left with, it should be that in our weakness, God is glorified.
