I just noticed after watching a tv show that there is something in the human psyche, or at the very least mine,that when presented with an image of someone sacrificing themselves for anothers redemption. Tends to focus on the sacrifice more then it focuses on the redemption.
To me this presents a conundrum of sorts. Why is it that we focus more on the cost of redemption then its prize? is it because to us the cost is more real then the prize. But then how as christians do we reconcile that with the fact that to Jesus we are the prize? I don't think we can in the least I cannot reconcile the two. On one hand we have this overbearing awareness of the cost of the act, and on the other we have the knowledge that we are a prize.
All of a sudden (and I mean all of a sudden) it makes sense and only when I see the equation presented in that format. Without the overbearing knowledge of the cost of our salvation we could never fully appreciate it the way we are meant to. For without a knowledge of the cost of a gift even estimated though it may be we do not appreciate its value unless there is something else there to give it value eg it comes from someone you love very dearly but even then there is a cost involved.
When it comes to salvation the greatest cost was paid. To us this should mean that if we are worth the greatest cost then we are to be considered the greatest prize. I may be repeating what has been said before, in fact I may sound like a complete sentimental fool. If I do so be it, it won't be the first time.
There is another side to this of course and it is one that is well known and rarely spoken of. That is the humbling aspect of redemption. We avoid it because it is often viewed negatively as though admitting that we are horribly flawed was something that we have a choice in. perhaps in admitting it to ourselves but certainly everyone else can see it.
So in a way there are two costs involved in redemption the cost of redemption and the cost of accepting redemption. this prompts much thought for me. The knowledge that I was worth it all fills me with both pride and gratitude but the knowledge that I am flawed horribly that I am a terrible mess humbles me far greater then the pride as it must. For redemption is often not granted to those who think themselves worthy of it, whether they be so or not by human judgement.
to paraphrase a CS Lewis statment The badder a man gets the less he realises how truly bad he is. A good man recognises just how bad he is and just how undeserving of redemption he has become.
I do not claim to be a good man for this is a generalization and it might be false for me I cannot be sure and it is not you who can tell me.
This is where I will leave this blog having typed my thoughts for the last couple of minutes I feel it is time to halt my rambling lest it confuses people.
The Monk
To me this presents a conundrum of sorts. Why is it that we focus more on the cost of redemption then its prize? is it because to us the cost is more real then the prize. But then how as christians do we reconcile that with the fact that to Jesus we are the prize? I don't think we can in the least I cannot reconcile the two. On one hand we have this overbearing awareness of the cost of the act, and on the other we have the knowledge that we are a prize.
All of a sudden (and I mean all of a sudden) it makes sense and only when I see the equation presented in that format. Without the overbearing knowledge of the cost of our salvation we could never fully appreciate it the way we are meant to. For without a knowledge of the cost of a gift even estimated though it may be we do not appreciate its value unless there is something else there to give it value eg it comes from someone you love very dearly but even then there is a cost involved.
When it comes to salvation the greatest cost was paid. To us this should mean that if we are worth the greatest cost then we are to be considered the greatest prize. I may be repeating what has been said before, in fact I may sound like a complete sentimental fool. If I do so be it, it won't be the first time.
There is another side to this of course and it is one that is well known and rarely spoken of. That is the humbling aspect of redemption. We avoid it because it is often viewed negatively as though admitting that we are horribly flawed was something that we have a choice in. perhaps in admitting it to ourselves but certainly everyone else can see it.
So in a way there are two costs involved in redemption the cost of redemption and the cost of accepting redemption. this prompts much thought for me. The knowledge that I was worth it all fills me with both pride and gratitude but the knowledge that I am flawed horribly that I am a terrible mess humbles me far greater then the pride as it must. For redemption is often not granted to those who think themselves worthy of it, whether they be so or not by human judgement.
to paraphrase a CS Lewis statment The badder a man gets the less he realises how truly bad he is. A good man recognises just how bad he is and just how undeserving of redemption he has become.
I do not claim to be a good man for this is a generalization and it might be false for me I cannot be sure and it is not you who can tell me.
This is where I will leave this blog having typed my thoughts for the last couple of minutes I feel it is time to halt my rambling lest it confuses people.
The Monk
