"Sin is the refusal of the love of others." (Karl Menninger, M.D.).
We like to think of ourselves in the best light: We like to look down on those who are ignorant and going astray and don't see the light. But we have nothing to brag about that God didn't give us and He is the One who made us different. "Who makes you to differ?" We once rejected Christ and were in the same boat, without hope, and without God in the world like the rest! It has been documented that the average Christian has rejected Christ an average of 7.6 times before coming to a saving knowledge and faith in Christ. God's grace is inexhaustible and gives us a second chance. And this proves that rejecting Christ is not unforgivable and not the unforgivable sin. At one time we were in the same boat of rebellion from God.
We are no better than the unbeliever who doesn't know Christ, neither wiser, more loving, nor more intelligent. It was by grace that we came to know Christ, not our own doing. We are not saved by feeling (that would be emotionalism), nor by knowledge (that would be Gnosticism or intellectualism), nor by obeying the rules (that would be legalism). We cannot be saved by mysticism or having a backchannel with God that others don't either! We all must approach the throne of grace on the same ground and position of unworthiness and humility.
We all tend to condemn the fickle crowd that demanded Christ's crucifixion, but we would've done the same thing had our hopes been shattered like that (from the triumphal entry to the repugnant trial unbecoming the King). But it can be assumed that many of these souls became penitent upon the hearing of the gospel at Pentecost and were among the 3,000 saved. Peter committed a heinous sin by denying Christ so vociferously and even to the point of using profanity and sacrificing his personal dignity and heritage, but he was restored to fellowship afterward by an understanding Savior who knew that Peter really loved Him and only his faith had failed. NB: What made Peter different from Judas was his love for the Lord and his contrition and willingness to believe he could be forgiven.
The lesson to be learned is that we shouldn't be surprised if we are rejected for preaching the gospel or being a witness to me--they will not accept us either! This is what carrying the cross is about--what difference being a Christian meant and what we had to endure because of it. If we realized how many times we rejected Christ we would be all the more patient with others and give them a break. This is because some sow, some, water, and some reap, but only God gives the growth of the seed planted which is the Word of God. Just bear in mind, that they are not rejecting us, but Christ whom we represent as ambassadors in His cause.
The bottom line is that we are no better than anyone else and shouldn't despise or look down on anyone but only pray that God opens the door of faith leading to a knowledge of the truth and open their eyes! Soli Deo Gloria!
About Me
- Karl Broberg
- I am a born-again Christian, who is Reformed, but also charismatic, spiritually speaking. (I do not speak in tongues, but I believe glossalalia is a bona fide gift not given to all, and not as great as prophecy, for example.) I have several years of college education but only completed a two-year degree. I was raised Lutheran and confirmed, but I didn't "find Christ" until I was in the Army and responded to a Billy Graham crusade in 1973. I was mentored or discipled by the Navigators in the army and upon discharge joined several evangelical, Bible-teaching churches. I was baptized as an infant, but believe in believer baptism, of which I was a partaker after my conversion experience. I believe in the "5 Onlys" of the reformation: sola fide (faith alone); sola Scriptura (Scripture alone); soli Christo (Christ alone), sola gratia (grace alone), and soli Deo gloria (to God alone be the glory). I affirm TULIP as defended in the Reformation.. I affirm most of The Westminster Confession of Faith, especially pertaining to Providence.