Pastor John Wright

It's getting a little late, and been a full day here at PLNU -- faculty meeting day. As one reads through the passages, a theme emerges: to receive God's mercy, one must recognize that one is a sinner. It is by grace that you are saved, through faith, not of works lest anyone boast.

One of the paradoxes of Christianity is the greatest saint recognizes that one is the greatest sinner. Yet from this comes, not a horrible weight of guilt, but thanksgiving in forgiveness, a thanksgiving that frees one to live for God through Christ in the world. These passages explore this irony. Perhaps finding the spot that does not exalt our sin, nor minimize it, nor excuse it, nor live weighed down by guilt, but rejoices in God's mercy as mercy becomes a key to what holiness folk used to call "victorious Christian living."

Exod. 32:1, 7-14

The setting of this passage is the first event after Moses has gone up Sinai and is receiving the Law -- actually the description on how to build the Tabernacle for proper worship in the wilderness. Ironically, it is at this time that the Israelites engage in building the golden calf -- the "god who brought you out of the land of Egypt." We are tempted to identify with Moses in this passage or the fact that "the Lord changed his mind." Yet Moses says nothing in the argument that God does not already know. Note how Israel is defined by God and by Moses. What does God know about this people? Does Moses appeal to the good works of the people? Why would Israel respond as they do?

1 Tim. 1:12-17

What is the attitude of "Paul" in this passage? Why is the relationship between "Paul"'s past and his election? Was he a sinner or is he a sinner? Who is the active character in Paul's salvation?

Luke 15:1-10

What is the irony in these parables? How are they are response to the criticism that Jesus receives from the Pharisees and scribes? With whom are we invited to identify?

I have been reminded lately that the passage that the one who has been forgiven much has much for which to be thankful. As Christians we believe in that sin is an absence, a deprivation from whom we really are, and that forgiveness through Christ is a means of freedom to become who we really are. Sin is not "natural" to human nature, but an absence. Even as the Spirit makes us holy by participation in the sufferings of Christ, we cannot get "take-overs". What happens if we lose the sense that we are sinners? What happens if we let this sin define us? What type of response does the passages call forth from us? What virtues do we need the Spirit to infuse in us?

Have a wonderful evening.

The Spirit cleanses us from sin