Friday, May 29, 2009

What does it matter?

"You have wearied the LORD with your words.
'How have we wearied him?' you ask.
By saying, 'All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them' or 'Where is the God of justice?'"—Malachi 2:17 TNIV

<idle musing>
Hmmm...sounds suspiciously like some theology I have heard; even Paul had to fight against it, "Should we sin that grace may increase?" MH GENOITO! μη γενοιτο!

But, we hear it all the time. It is almost like God is pissed at everyone who sins, until they become Christians. Then they can sin all they want! What? "How can we who are dead to sin live any longer therein?" (Petra, but straight from Paul in Romans)

Am I preaching works righteousness now? MH GENOITO! μη γενοιτο! Of course not! It is only by God's empowering presence in the form of the Holy Spirit that can make it possible. And we sell that presence way short of what can happen. I John 3:9 goes so far as to say "No one born of God commits sin; for God's nature abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God." (RSV) Pretty strong language, scary in fact. But, if we are to take it seriously, our lives might have to change. Now that is a truly scary thought! I might have to take up my cross and die to myself—can't have that, now can we?
</idle musing>

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