Can Jesus save us from keeping score?

[graceandpeace]

What if instead of affirming the fundamental validity of keeping score when it comes to sin, Jesus’ sacrifice is the means by which all of our score-keeping is invalidated and replaced with a culture of mercy? What if it’s not God who needed to get paid in blood for our sin but us? What if what Jesus sacrifice earns is freedom from transactional sacrifice for those who believe that he really did “pay it all”?...

The evidence that I have actually accepted God’s mercy is that I become God’s mercy in the lives of other people.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/mercyn...ss-the-idolatry-of-norms-and-the-new-morality

Thoughts?

For me, this post really helped me with something I've been struggling to understand.

 

[FireDragon76]

Those are some good insights, especially about culture.

I believe a lot of old-time Protestant theology holds back Christians from wider cultural engagement. People in my generation and younger are mostly not preoccupied with pathological guilt manipulation, as was common in the middle ages (and at the core of substitutionary theories of atonement), nor are we going to bear that cross for organized religion. We are too grown up, too familiar with psychology, to fall for it.

If you are familiar with the series The Walking Dead, look at the figure of Fr. Gabriel. He's so sin-, punishment-, and guilt-obsessed that he fails to do much good, using his piety to hide his mental instability, cowardice, treachery, and general loathsomeness (contrast this with Eugene, who is also a coward, but doesn't hide it behind piety). This meme of the wicked religionist is something that is becoming more widespread in our culture.

 

[graceandpeace]

Yes.

I'm trying to apply mercy more in my life - or at least I'd like to think I'm trying. There are certain real world things causing me to feel anger or distress, but I'm trying to prepare my mind & heart to choose mercy in my (inevitable) interactions.

 

[FireDragon76]

Focusing on law-keeping as the definition of holiness (and election by God) is the peculiar Puritan/Calvinist influence on American religious life, and I believe that is the root of the particular religious and social values a lot of Americans have, particularly the work ethic and the attitudes towards the less fortunate. Some sociologists have noted that societies such as the UK and the US that were influenced heavily by Calvinism has less social solidarity, less willing to be compassionate in dealing with their fellow citizens misfortunes, than European countries shaped by other religious traditions. Sociologists have also noticed that there is more shame attached to being unemployed in those countries as well.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

"The evidence that I have actually accepted God’s mercy is that I become God’s mercy in the lives of other people."

That really is a powerful statement. Can I do it? That is the question. Can I show love, kindness, compassion and forgiveness to others as God has shown to me?
If I think about my day at work today, then I failed to show mercy at one particular point. I felt I was being controlled and I kind of lashed out, then withdrew support. Only briefly. Enough for that person to know that God's love does not shine through me very often. My acceptance of others is conditional, after all.

 

[graceandpeace]

We all fail sometimes. I try to remind myself that God's mercies are new everyday, & each new day is a chance to start again. It takes practice & prayer to grow in mercy I think.